Evaluation of Vocal Fold Motion During Blocks in Adults Who Stutter

Abstract

with age [1,2]. Blocks occur unexpectedly, even for AWS themselves, and can also halt normal inspiration and ex -piration. This symptom resembles the chief complaints (“voice not coming out” and “clogged voice”) made by patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) and ad ductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD). A systematic re view of voice therapy in MTD showed that there were positive changes to outcome measures immediately following a period of therapy [3], and that therapy for MTD continued to be effective for 6 months after the completion of therapy [ 4]. However, speech therapy for adults who stutter (AWS) is limited [ 5 ]. Stuttering is readily modified during treatment in the clinic, but this gain is difficult to transfer outside mo-Abstract Background: Stuttering is a speech disorder; the primary symptom in adults who stutter (AWS) is blocks, which halt both speech and breathing. This study aimed to evaluate vocal fold motion during blocks in AWS, in order to better understand this condition. Methods: We used data obtained through flexible fiberop tic endoscopy and measurements of airflow and voice ob tained from speech phonogram waveforms for 58 blocks in 12 AWS who were asked to read a set text for measure -ments. We compared the number of blocks with glottal closure and glottal opening during stuttering. Results: In most AWS, blocks were accompanied by both glottal closure and glottal opening. The proportions of blocks with glottal closure and glottal opening were 46.6% and 53.4%, respectively. Thus, vocal fold positions during stuttering blocks varied among individuals. Conclusion: Our study shows that stuttering with cessation of voice can occur both when vocal fold is open and when it is closed.