Prevalence and Risk Factors of Voice Disorders in University Teaching Faculty Members: A Pilot Study

Voice disorder is a multifactorial impairment. Several studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between voice problems and voice-related jobs. Therefore, professional voice users, including teachers, are at high risk of voice disorders, which threatens the employment positions. Also, the investigation of voice impairments among faculty members seems essential. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of voice disorders in faculty members, its impact on the physical, emotional, and functional status of this job group, with and without voice disorders, and the correlation of voice disorders with some risk factors. Methods The participants of this study were 114 university teaching faculty members of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, with a mean age of 43.95±0.98 years. The current cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study used a demographic questionnaire and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) as the data collection instruments. In the present study, based on VHI test results, participants with a total VHI score greater than 14.5 are considered to have voice disorders. Results The prevalence of voice disorders among university teaching faculty members was 27.19%. There was a significant correlation between allergy and voice disorders (P= 0.04). Significant differences were also found between the two study groups in terms of the total score of the VHI and its subscales (P <0.001). Conclusions Considering the 27.19% prevalence of voice disorders among university teaching faculty members and its effect on the total VHI score, our results confirm that education, prevention, and treatment programs are critical to lessen the frequency of voice disorders related to teaching. However, it has been found that this job group with voice disorders is four times more likely to have allergies than those without voice disorder, which indicates the importance of controlling this problem

Effective Swallowing Rehabilitation Strategies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Suffering from Dysphagia; A Review of Literature

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which leads to various clinical signs and symptoms such as dysphagia. Given the prevalence and consequences of the disease, it is vital for patients with MS (PWMS) to be under medical supervision and receive specific care and services immediately. The present study aimed to comprehensively and inherently describe various SRSs and clarify the probable effects of each on the swallowing mechanism in PWMS suffering from dysphagia and to eventually answer the question: Which SRS(s) are effective on dysphagia in PWMS? Study design: This study is a literature review. Method: A search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct databases was carried out for relevant studies published from 1990 to 2020 and written in English. The search resulted in 772 articles. Ultimately, 103 articles in total were selected for inclusion in the present study. Results: The clinical results show that using different SRSs in dysphagia management can help reducing dysphagia and the risk for aspiration. These approaches are classified in four categories: compensatory methods, stimulation techniques, exercises, and maneuvers. Conclusion: The current review reports the positive impact of SRSs such as electrical and sensory stimulation methods, maneuvers, and compensatory methods on dysphagia in PWMS. They can reduce the risk of aspiration for PWMS and, consequently, provide a better quality of life