The consequences of spasmodic dysphonia on communication-related quality of life: a qualitative study of the insider's experiences.
Carolyn R Baylor, Kathryn M Yorkston, Tanya L Eadie
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15963338Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 21Years - 85Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID05095740
The Effects of Neuromodulation on Phonatory Function in Laryngeal Dystonia
Led by MGH Institute of Health Professions · Updated on 2026-02-20
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a condition that causes excessive opening or closing of the vocal folds, leading to problems with voice quality, job prospects, self-worth, and overall quality of life. People with LD often experience symptoms like breathy voice, pitch breaks, and vocal tremor. While brain imaging has shown differences in brain areas related to voice control, the exact brain function behind LD is not fully understood. Current treatments like voice therapy and Botox injections provide temporary relief but have limitations. This research aims to study a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to better understand and potentially improve brain control of voice muscles in LD. The study will compare 5 days of daily rTMS treatment targeting the left laryngeal motor cortex with a sham (placebo) rTMS treatment. Participants will receive about 20 minutes of rTMS each day using a specialized coil to stimulate brain areas responsible for voice muscle control. The sham treatment mimics the sensation and sound without actual brain stimulation. After the initial 5-day treatment and assessments, participants will cross over to receive the other treatment after at least 3 months. The study will measure voice changes and brain responses before and after each treatment phase. Participants will undergo detailed voice assessments, including listening tests, acoustic analysis, and self-reported voice effort ratings. Brain activity will be measured using a specialized neurophysiology assessment involving fine-wire electrodes inserted into voice muscles and brain stimulation tests to evaluate muscle control. Safety screenings will be done before treatments. Researchers will track changes in voice function and brain excitability at baseline, after treatment, and follow-up times. The total involvement includes initial screening, two treatment phases with assessments, and a follow-up period lasting several months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effects of Neuromodulation in Laryngeal Dystonia
Who Can Participate
Age: 21Years - 85Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 21 and 85 years
- Diagnosis of laryngeal dystonia (LD)
- Ability to give informed consent
- Symptoms at worst severity if receiving botulinum toxin injections
- Signed informed consent form
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of other forms of dystonia
- Vocal fold pathology or paralysis
- Essential tremor
- Laryngeal cancer or other neurological conditions with central nervous system medications
- History of laryngeal surgery
- Inability to consent or complete study procedures
- Seizure within the last 2 years
- Contraindications to rTMS
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Baseline Assessment
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo baseline acoustic, perceptual, patient-reported voice assessments, and neurophysiologic testing including TMS measurement of cortical excitability and inhibition.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 5 days
Participants receive 5 consecutive days of real or sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the left laryngeal motor cortex to assess effects on phonatory function.
Daily visits for 5 consecutive days
Post-Treatment Assessment
Duration - 1 day
After the 5-day rTMS intervention, participants undergo repeat acoustic, perceptual, patient-reported voice assessments, and neurophysiologic testing.
1 visit (in-person)
Follow-up
Duration - 7 days after post-treatment
Participants are assessed approximately one week after treatment for changes in phonatory function and self-ratings of voice effort.
1 visit (in-person)
Crossover Phase
Duration - Approximately 3 months later plus 7 days for assessments
At least 3 months after initial treatment, participants receive the alternate intervention (real or sham rTMS) following the same schedule of baseline assessment, 5-day treatment, post-treatment assessment, and follow-up.
Multiple visits including baseline, 5 daily treatment visits, post-treatment, and follow-up visits
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Teresa J Kimberley
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02129
Actively Recruiting
Loading map...
Research Team
C
Caitlin Koehler, Lab Manager
T
Teresa J Kimberley, PhD, PT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here
Published Research Related To This Trial
Acoustic and Perceptual Classification of Within-sample Normal, Intermittently Dysphonic, and Consistently Dysphonic Voice Types.
Christopher S Gaskill, Jordan A Awan, Christopher R Watts...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27241579Successful treatment of selected cases of abductor spasmodic dysphonia using botulinum toxin injection.
C L Ludlow, R F Naunton, S Terada...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1908979Alterations in CNS activity induced by botulinum toxin treatment in spasmodic dysphonia: an H215O PET study.
S Omar Ali, Michael Thomassen, Geralyn M Schulz...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17077220Regional, not global, functional connectivity contributes to isolated focal dystonia.
Scott A Norris, Aimee E Morris, Meghan C Campbell...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32913023Abnormal activation of the primary somatosensory cortex in spasmodic dysphonia: an fMRI study.
Kristina Simonyan, Christy L Ludlow
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20194686Transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional magnet resonance imaging evaluation of adductor spasmodic dysphonia during phonation.
Mo Chen, Rebekah L S Summers, Cecília N Prudente...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32289724Effects of voicing and syntactic complexity on sign expression in adductor spasmodic dysphonia.
Molly L Erickson
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14658993Use of hooked-wire electrodes for electromyography of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles.
M Hirano, J Ohala
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5808863Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Targeted to Premotor Cortex Followed by Primary Motor Cortex Modulates Excitability Differently Than Premotor Cortex or Primary Motor Cortex Stimulation Alone.
Mo Chen, Huiqiong Deng, Rebekah L Schmidt...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26307511