Psychophysiologic treatment of vocal cord dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an obstructive upper airway syndrome that frequently mimics asthma and for which there is no empirical treatment of choice. OBJECTIVE: To describe two military service members experiencing VCD who were treated with psychophysiologic self-regulation training. METHODS: Both cases were active-duty military members with VCD confirmed by laryngoscopy They each received biofeedback self-regulation training to decrease tension in the extrinsic laryngeal musculature. RESULTS: Both patients responded to the treatment, denied the presence of dsypnea, and had resumed military physical training. CONCLUSIONS: Psychophysiologic self-regulation strategies both with and without concurrent speech therapy positively impacted VCD symptoms.