Abstract

Although combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) are known to cause voice disorders in otherwise vocally healthy individuals, it is unknown whether those adverse effects can be reversed by the cessation of treatment. Quantitative aerodynamic measures such as phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF) can be used to identify the development of, and recovery from, vocal pathologies. We examined the effects and reversibility of ICs on laryngeal aerodynamics. This study was a mid-project investigation as part of a larger ongoing project. The 18 larynges were from rabbits that received ICs, a control condition, or no treatment. Experimental group rabbits received ICs twice per day until inflammatory changes (e.g., erythema, edema) became visible through endoscopic observation. One experimental group (i.e., the induction group) received treatment until symptoms were observed and then larynges were harvested. The other experimental group (i.e., the reversibility group) had ICs withdrawn once visible changes were detected via endoscopy; larynges were harvested only after these changes no longer differed from baseline. Both experimental groups had corresponding control rabbits that received twice-daily nebulized saline and followed the same withdrawal and larynx harvest schedule. A final group received no treatment. During benchtop phonation trials, PTP and PTF values were determined. All data were analyzed using descriptive and parametric statistics. No significant between-group differences were observed. Descriptively, however, average PTP and PTF values for the reversibility group were lower than the induction group. Additionally, average PTP and PTF values for the reversibility group were slightly lower than the induction group. Both experimental groups had higher PTP and PTF values than the control larynges. The results of this study indicate a trend in recovery for larynges afforded a recovery period from ICs. Further testing is needed to substantiate these preliminary findings.

Degree

MS

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Communication Disorders

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2023-06-07

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd12792

Keywords

combination inhaled corticosteroids, asthma, phonation threshold pressure (PTP), phonation threshold flow (PTF), benchtop model, ex vivo phonation

Language

english

Included in

Communication Commons

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