Spasmodic Dysphonia Interviews
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The socioeconomic impact of Spasmodic Dysphonia and the role of Botulinum toxin
IRAS ID
323925
Contact name
Sadie Khwaja
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Universities NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Spasmodic dysphonia is a laryngeal disorder causing overstimulation of the laryngeal muscles leading to irregular speech patterns. Like most voice disorders, spasmodic dysphonia is associated with a lower quality of life and decreased employability. Botulinum toxin injections are the gold-standard treatment for Spasmodic Dysphonia. Botulinum toxin inhibits overstimulation of laryngeal muscles, causing patients' voices to have fewer irregular breaks. Our tertiary centre provides botulinum toxin injections for Spasmodic Dysphonia patients. A service evaluation in 2021 was performed to understand the livelihood of Spasmodic Dysphonia patients and how the botulinum injection service could run more smoothly. The service evaluation revealed these patients' poor livelihood before receiving botulinum toxin. Hence, this study aims to interview 20 Spasmodic Dysphonia patients to better understand their social and economic problems, and whether botulinum toxin has impacted these problems. The interviews will be semi-structured interviews held in-person or online based on patient preference. We hope to present and publish this study to raise awareness
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0296
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion