The Function of Cricothyroid Muscle and Its Impaction on Mandarin Lexical Tones in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

NCT02184377 | Unknown DMC

• 1 other identifier: 101_4920A3
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Mandarin Chinese phonemically distinguishes four tones, with Tone 1 having high-level pitch, Tone 2 high-rising pitch, Tone 3 low-dipping pitch, and Tone 4 high-falling pitch The same segmental context carries different meanings depending on the tone. The function deficit of cricothyroid (CT) muscle, innervated by external branch superior laryngeal nerve (eSLN), would impair the speech tone adjustment. The defect in tone adjustment may interfere with the communication function in Mandarin Chinese speaker more than other language users. This may explain while peripheral unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) patients with eSLN injury had worse outcomes than those with sole recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The neuromuscular control of laryngeal muscle can be evaluated by laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). The investigators have utilized a quantified LEMG (denoted Q-LEMG) in their previous research to measure the neuromuscular control of thyroarytenoid- lateral cricoarytenoid (TA-LCA) adductor complex. However, the task to measure the CT muscle function by Q-LEMG has not been developed yet. It is of thus of utmost interest to develop a standardized task to measure the neuromuscular function of CT muscle in Mandarin speakers. In Mandarin speaking patients with UVFP, the lexical tone influence from CT muscle can be discovered by the technique. The investigators also want to measure the lexical tone correction by conventional laryngoplasty and its influence in CT muscle activity. The data of lexical tone and its correlation with CT contractile activity is important in attempting pitch adjust artificial electrolarynx.

Conditions

Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis

Keywords

quantitative laryngeal electromyography; cricothyroid muscle; unilateral vocal fold paralysis; superior laryngeal nerve; lexical tone; Mandarin

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• laryngeal electromyography

  before hyaluronate injection; one month after hyaluronate injection

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• laboratory voice analysis

  before hyaluronate injection; one month after hyaluronate injection

• voice outcomes survey (VOS)

  before hyaluronate injection; one month after hyaluronate injection

• Short form -36

  before hyaluronate injection; one month after hyaluronate injection

• voice range profile

  before hyaluronate injection; one month after hyaluronate injection

Study Arms (2)

RLN+SLN paralysis

unilateral recurrent laryngeal and superior laryngeal nerve paralysis

RLN paralysis

unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients from a tertian referral medical center.

You may qualify if:

• Patients with acute unilateral vocal palsy
• Patients with clear conscious and stable mental status

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with wounds on the neck or with bleeding disorder or serious cardiopulmonary dysfunction
• Patients who cannot sit for longer than 30 minutes or received other vocal cord treatments before the selection
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Patients with communication disorder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chang Gung Memorial Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Linkuo, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Vocal Cord Paralysis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Laryngeal Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Vagus Nerve Diseases; Cranial Nerve Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Paralysis; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Tuan-Jen Fang, MD

  Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director, Laryngology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 23, 2014
• First Posted: July 9, 2014
• Study Start: August 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2015
• Study Completion: December 1, 2015
• Last Updated: July 9, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-07

Locations

TW (1)