Effectiveness of laser acupuncture for hyperfunctional dysphonia : a treatment placebo group study

Abstract

Laser acupuncture was found to be effective in treating various diseases (Radmayr et al, 2001 and Gottschling et al, 2008). However, there is no study investigating effectiveness of laser acupuncture in treating hyperfunctional dysphonia. The objective of present study was to investigate the effectiveness of intensive laser acupuncture therapy to restore the vocal functions and wound healing of patients with hyperfunctional dysphonia. 20 subjects aged between 22 and 54 years were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a placebo group. In treatment group, laser acupuncture of 500mW output and 808nm wavelength had been applied on acupoints Renyin (St9), Lieque (Lu7), Hegu (LI4), Lianquan (CV23) and Zhaohai (Ki6). In the placebo group, placebo laser device had been used. The subjects received 12 treatment sessions, 2 times a week for 6 weeks. Voice range profile phonatogram, laryngo-stroboscopy and Voice Activity and Participation Profile were conducted before, immediate after, and four weeks after the treatment. No significant improvement was found in treatment group. This suggested laser acupuncture had minimal immediate and long term effect in treating hyperfunctional dysphonia with associated pathologies.