EBP Compendium: Summary of Systematic Review
Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Department of Veterans Affairs
A Systematic Review of Outcome Measurement in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis
Baylor, C. R., Yorkston, K. M., et al.
(2006).
Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 14(1), xxvii–lvii.
Indicators of Review Quality:
|
The review addresses a clearly focused question
| No |
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Criteria for inclusion of studies are provided
| Yes |
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Search strategy is described in sufficient detail for replication
| Yes |
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Included studies are assessed for study quality
| Yes |
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Quality assessments are reproducible
| No |
Description: This is a systematic review of scientific literature pertaining to interventions and outcome measurement in individuals with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP).
Question(s) Addressed:
Question not specifically stated.
Population: Patients with UVFP
Intervention/Assessment: Surgical intervention and/or voice therapy
Number of Studies Included: 92
Years Included: 1990–2003
Findings:
Conclusions:
Assessment/Diagnosis
Assessment Areas
Voice/Resonance
- Few papers focused on the role of voice therapy in managing UVFP. There was a much larger evidence-base pertaining to surgical interventions. "Despite the strong clinical consensus that surgical intervention for UVFP is effective, the experimental research evidence unfortunately was not as clear...These findings might be attributed to many factors including the nature of UVFP, the effectiveness of interventions, or the outcome measures and measurement methods" (p. xxxvii).
- "One of the strongest recommendations to be made based on this review is to improve the consistency of outcome measurement so that results can be more easily compared across studies" (p. xxxvii). Outcome measures should be reproducible, demonstrate appropriate reliability and validity, respond to change, and should be integrated into a sound research design.
Keywords: Vocal Fold Paralysis, Voice Disorders
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Added to Compendium: August 2010