Emotional considerations in spasmodic dysphonia: psychometric quantification.

Whereas recent research has focused upon neuromotor aspects of spasmodic dysphonia, the disorder has historically been regarded as having a psychogenic basis. Relatively little empirical evidence, however, has been offered either to support or refute that claim. The present study examines emotional characteristics of 18 female spasmodic dysphonic subjects in comparison to matched normal controls across psychometric measures of depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints. Statistically significant differences were noted between groups for all measures and over half of the dysphonic subjects exhibited clinically significant levels of depression and anxiety relative to published test norms. Correlational analysis revealed the presence of an "affective factor" among the dysphonics that was not evident among the controls. These findings raise serious concerns for neuromotor interpretations given in various areas of recent spasmodic dysphonia research. Theoretical, clinical and methodological implications are discussed.