Muscle Tension Dysphagia: Contributing Factors and Treatment Efficacy

Objective: To determine factors contributing to disease etiology and treatment efficacy. Study Design: Original Report. Setting: Tertiary academic center. Methods: IRB approved prospective study of 20 patients with reported dysphagia who exhibited normal oropharyngeal and esophageal swallowing function as evidenced by videofluoroscopic swallow study, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry with stationary impedance, and Bravo pH probe off proton pump inhibitor. Patients underwent speech-language pathology intervention. Results: Atypical laryngeal muscle tension was present in 100% of patients. Forty percent of patients had diagnosed positive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Sixty-five percent of patients showed signs of non-specific laryngeal inflammation and laryngeal hyperresponsiveness during strobolaryngoscopy. All patients reported a mean of 90% recovery by the completion of voice therapy directed toward unloading muscle tension. Conclusion: The study results suggest an association between laryngeal muscle tension and these patients’ dysphagia symptoms regardless of associated conditions. Speech-language pathology intervention showed high treatment efficacy. Level of Evidence: 2c- Outcomes research.