The Effect of a Vocal Loading Test on Cough and Phonation in Patients With Chronic Cough

Publication date: Available online 28 April 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Anne E. Vertigan, Sarah M. Kapela, Ingolf Franke, Peter G. Gibson
Objective/HypothesisTalking is a significant trigger for cough in patients with chronic cough; however, the stimulus required to trigger cough has not been quantified. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a vocal loading task on phonation and cough behavior in patients with chronic cough and identify change following therapy.Study DesignThis is a prospective observational study.MethodsThis study involved 33 patients with chronic cough. Participants were assessed with the lingWAVES Vocal Loading Test protocol before and after intervention for chronic cough.ResultsAt baseline, almost 40% of patients had impaired vocal function and were unable to complete the vocal loading test. This improved following therapy, with 94% of patients being able to complete the test at follow-up. There was difficulty maintaining phonation, with 60% of the task unvoiced at baseline. This improved following therapy. The vocal loading test triggered coughing in 58% of patients; however, this improved following intervention. Acoustic measures during the vocal loading test did not change following therapy.ConclusionPhonation is an important trigger for cough. Patients with chronic cough demonstrated impaired performance on tests of vocal loading. Most parameters improved following therapy.



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