Psychological aspects of adductor spasmodic dysphonia: a prospective population controlled questionnaire study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine psychosocial concomitants, illness perceptions, and treatment perceptions in patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

DESIGN

Prospective controlled cohort study.

SETTING

A tertiary care facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-nine out-patients (38 women, 11 men; average age of 52 years) with adductor spasmodic dysphonia completed a battery of reliable and validated psychometric assessment instruments. Control patients' data were derived from scores in questionnaires by samples in the formal Manuals of the questionnaires used.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychosocial functioning, illness perceptions, and treatment perceptions.

RESULTS

Scores on psychosocial measures were elevated in male patients especially, indicating levels of psychological morbidity significantly above those seen in the general population. Assessments of illness perceptions and treatment perceptions indicated that patients perceive that they have a very low degree of control over the disorder, and experience a high emotional impact from it. Voice Handicap Index scores illustrated substantial degrees of perceived handicap.

CONCLUSIONS

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia is associated with significant negative psychosocial concomitants, coupled with low perceived control over the condition. Future research should elucidate the implications of illness perceptions and treatment perceptions for the biopsychosocial care of persons with adductor spasmodic dysphonia in order to improve self-management and enhance quality of life.