Vocal Cord Dysfunction and Speech Therapy
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD), otherwise known as Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO) or Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM) is a voice disorder that is often misdiagnosed as asthma. Understandably, this can be frustrating and can result in a longer period between symptom onset and treatment. If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with VCD, here is a summary of the main information you’ll need to know.
In this article, we’ll cover what vocal cord dysfunction is, why it happens, and how it can be treated.
What is Vocal Cord Dysfunction?
Vocal Cord Dysfunction is a voice disorder characterised by episodic, unintentional adduction (coming together) of the vocal cords.1 During these episodes, an individual may experience acute shortness of breath that can’t be relieved by conventional asthma therapy.
What Causes Vocal Cord Dysfunction?
The cause of Vocal Cord Dysfunction is complex and often multifactorial. The most common cause is a hyperfunctional laryngeal reflex to protect the lower airway. This laryngeal hyperfunction is often brought on as a result of any combination of post-nasal drip, gastro-oesophageal reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux and/or psychological conditions.2
How Can Vocal Cord Dysfunction Be Treated?
Vocal Cord Dysfunction is most often treated with speech therapy conducted by a certified practising Speech Pathologist. Medical intervention in the form of botulinum toxin injections or low-dose amitriptyline may also be used, however speech therapy is typically the first line of treatment for this condition.3
Speech therapy for Vocal Cord Dysfunction typically focuses on glottic airway and respiratory retraining. This is a combination of specific breathing and vocal exercises that aim to reduce abnormal breathing patterns and reduce tension in the larynx that occur as a result of Vocal Cord Dysfunction.4
Recent research has shown the effectiveness of this speech therapy approach in treating Vocal Cord Dysfunction . A comprehensive review of 13 studies found that individuals whose treatment relied solely on glottic airway and respiratory retraining as the main intervention—without medical treatments—significantly reduced symptoms. Participants experienced a notable reduction in the frequency of VCD episodes, with daily VCD episodes decreasing from 72% to 10% after completing speech therapy. This research highlights the essential role that speech therapy plays in treating VCD and improving quality of life for those affected by the condition.5
Where to Get Speech Therapy for Vocal Cord Dysfunction
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction, you will have likely been recommended to seek out speech therapy support. It can be challenging to find a local speech pathologist who can provide voice therapy for adults with this condition.
We recommend using the Speech Pathology Australia ‘Find a Speech Pathologist’ tool to look for a local provider. If you do happen to be based in North Brisbane, Speak and Swallow Speech Therapy offer in-clinic appointments at Burpengary-East and home visits to a number of North Brisbane locations. Find out more about booking your Vocal Cord Dysfunction speech therapy treatment at Speak and Swallow here.