Psychophysiologic treatment of vocal cord dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an obstructive upper airway syndrome that frequently mimics asthma and for which there is no empirical treatment of choice.

OBJECTIVE

To describe two military service members experiencing VCD who were treated with psychophysiologic self-regulation training.

METHODS

Both cases were active-duty military members with VCD confirmed by laryngoscopy They each received biofeedback self-regulation training to decrease tension in the extrinsic laryngeal musculature.

RESULTS

Both patients responded to the treatment, denied the presence of dsypnea, and had resumed military physical training.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychophysiologic self-regulation strategies both with and without concurrent speech therapy positively impacted VCD symptoms.