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Early UVFP Management Based on Neurological Evidences (UVFP = Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis
Interventions
Other: Sham of injection
Procedure: Acid hyaluronic injection laryngoplasty
Behavioral: Voice therapy
Other: Sham of voice therapy
Registration Number
NCT03906877
Lead Sponsor
Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain
Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to understand how early intervention could impact reinnervation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (which innervates the vocal cord), recovery of mobility of the paralyzed vocal cord and / or vocal recovery in the case of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. To achieve this goal we must therefore carry out a complete outcomes assessment of different intervention methods (voice therapy and injection laryngoplasty), which are offered to UVFP (unilateral vocal fold paralysis) patients in the early stage (\< 3 months). Their respective impacts on the central and peripheral nervous system and on the voice quality will be assessed, taking into account factors related to the severity of the paralysis.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • Unilateral paralysis in abduction of the vocal cords may be included in the study.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Wear a pacemaker or other implanted devices (prostheses ...).
  • Wear metal clips, metal in the head, or an adjustable brain drain.
  • Wear non-removable dental appliances (except fillings).
  • Wear cardiac valve prostheses.
  • Have worked the metals.
  • Have a tattoo containing metal particles.
  • Have implanted jewelry (e.g., piercing).
  • Being prone to epileptic seizures.
  • Take medications that alter cortical excitability.
  • Have had a brain surgery.
  • Suffer from intracranial hypertension.
  • Be pregnant or breastfeeding recently.
  • Present allergies that are incompatible with the experimental protocol.
  • Have an abnormal hearing loss in view of their age, identified with tonal and / or vocal audiometry.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sham groupSham of voice therapyThe patients of the third group will be treated following the traditional wait-and-see policy. They will receive an injection of physiological saline under the skin of the neck and will be seen during 15 sessions of 30 minutes, twice a week. Therefore, this will be a sham procedure for both IL and VT.
Injection laryngoplasty group (IL)Sham of voice therapyThe patients in the first group will receive an IL of hyaluronic acid in the paralyzed vocal fold within a maximum of three months after the onset of symptoms. The Ear-Noise-Throat (ENT) physician will perform the injection in office, under topical anaesthesia.
Sham groupSham of injectionThe patients of the third group will be treated following the traditional wait-and-see policy. They will receive an injection of physiological saline under the skin of the neck and will be seen during 15 sessions of 30 minutes, twice a week. Therefore, this will be a sham procedure for both IL and VT.
Injection laryngoplasty group (IL)Acid hyaluronic injection laryngoplastyThe patients in the first group will receive an IL of hyaluronic acid in the paralyzed vocal fold within a maximum of three months after the onset of symptoms. The Ear-Noise-Throat (ENT) physician will perform the injection in office, under topical anaesthesia.
Voice therapy group (VT)Voice therapyPatients from the second group will be involved in 15 sessions of thirty minutes of voice therapy, twice a week, and will have to do home practice. Patients will have to record these training sessions. Initiation of this intervention should also take place within the first three months after the onset of symptoms. They will also receive an injection of physiological saline under the skin of the neck (sham of injection).
Voice therapy group (VT)Sham of injectionPatients from the second group will be involved in 15 sessions of thirty minutes of voice therapy, twice a week, and will have to do home practice. Patients will have to record these training sessions. Initiation of this intervention should also take place within the first three months after the onset of symptoms. They will also receive an injection of physiological saline under the skin of the neck (sham of injection).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Recovery of the vocal fold mobility9 to 12 months after paralysis

Videostroboscopy examination to analyse vocal folds movements in three dimensions

Central auditory processesWithin 3 months after paralysis

Auditory perception tasks performed using an audio headset

Laryngeal recurrent nerve reinnervation9 to 12 months after paralysis

Defined through qualitative laryngeal electromyography

Changes in the neuronal pathways involved in the processing of the proprioceptive and auditory inputs9 to 12 months after paralysis

Functional magnetic resonance imaging examination (tomodensitometry and connectivity)

Voice recovery9 to 12 months after paralysis

Multidimensional voice assessment (based on anamnestic interview, Maximum Phonation Time in sec, Mean Air Flow in ml/sec, Mean subglottic pressure in cmH2O, Jitter in %, Shimmer in %, Noise-to-harmonic ratio, phonetogram, smoothed cepstral peak prominence in %, Voice Handicap Index - VHI-30 (\*total\* : 0-120, higher value = worse outcome), Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Healthy Survey (\*8 subscales\* : 0-100, higher value = better outcome, Eating Assessment Tool-10 (\*total\*: 0-40, higher value = worse outcome), GRBAS-I (\*6 subscales\* : 0-3, higher value = worse outcome), Acoustic Voice Quality Index, Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI = 0.13 x MPT + 0.0053 x F(0)-High - 0.26 x I-Low - 1.18 x Jitter (%) + 12.4),Tonal and vocal audiometries in dB)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cliniques Universitaires St Luc

🇧🇪

Brussels, Belgium

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