EMG biofeedback treatment of pediatric hyperfunctional dysphonia

A 9-year-old boy with a long history of impaired communication resulting from hyperfunctional dysphonia and vocal nodules had proven to be unresponsive to traditional voice therapy. In this study, he engaged in biweekly visual EMG biofeedback training to reduce laryngeal muscle tension. In a multiple baseline design across two responses with changing criteria, results demonstrated sequential stepwise reductions in muscle tension with each new criterion. Concomitant improvements were found in laryngeal aerodynamic functioning and in voice quality. The treatment also resulted in the elimination of the vocal nodules without surgical intervention. These effects were maintained at 6 month follow-up.