A systematic review for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD)

Abstract

This systematic review aimed at synthesizing the findings on the etiology and different kinds of features of muscle tension dysphonia (MTD), and hence identifying the most commonly reported etiology and features of MTD. Articles on MTD published between 1965 and 2015 were searched through Web of Science Core Collection and Medline via ProQuest, and 43 journal articles were selected for review. This review found that the main etiological factors reported for MTD were psychological and personality factors with extensive voice use in terms of both time and loudness. Palpable and visible increased extrinsic laryngeal muscle tension and an abnormally high degree of laryngeal rise during phonation were two specific features of MTD identified in the literature. Posterior glottic chink was the most commonly identified laryngoscopic finding on individuals with MTD. The most commonly reported perceptual voice quality, acoustic, aerodynamic and electroglottograhpic measures of MTD may not be characteristic features of MTD for diagnosis, as they are generally present in other voice disorders.