OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals presenting to physiotherapy for voice and throat-related problems, and to use this information to clarify the role of physiotherapy in the management of people with voice and throat problems.
METHODS: A retrospective clinical case notes review was conducted of all clients who accessed physiotherapy for voice and throat problems at a private practice based in Christchurch within a 12-month period from 1st October 2020 to 1st October 2021.
RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 53 patient charts. The typical profile of an individual accessing physiotherapy for voice and throat problems were female (n = 37), NZ European (n = 26), singer (n = 43), with chronic problems (n = 20), of a nontraumatic origin (n = 45). Voice problems were present in 39 cases and muscle-related problems were present in 42 cases. Treatment primarily included manual therapy and various modes of exercise therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics described offer insight into the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals accessing physiotherapy services for voice and throat problems. A high prevalence of muscle-related problems and wider issues were identified, consistent with the physiotherapy skill set. Physiotherapy appears to complement existing ENT or SLT services by identifying and managing muscle-related voice problems and addressing wider factors contributing to voice and throat problems.
目的:本研究的目的是描述因嗓音和咽喉相关问题而接受物理治疗的个体的人口统计学和临床特征。并使用这些信息来阐明理疗在语音和喉咙问题患者管理中的作用。
方法:在2020年10月1日至2021年10月1日的12个月内,对所有在克赖斯特彻奇的私人诊所接受过语音和喉咙问题物理治疗的客户进行了回顾性临床病例回顾。
结果:分析了来自53例患者图表的数据。针对语音和喉咙问题进行物理治疗的典型特征是女性(n=37),新西兰欧洲人(n=26),歌手(n=43),有慢性问题(n=20),非创伤性起源(n=45)。39例存在语音问题,42例存在肌肉相关问题。治疗主要包括手动治疗和各种模式的运动治疗。
结论:所描述的临床特征提供了对因嗓音和咽喉问题而获得物理治疗服务的个体的人口统计学和临床特征的见解。发现了与肌肉相关的问题和更广泛的问题的高患病率,与理疗技能一致。物理治疗似乎通过识别和管理与肌肉相关的语音问题并解决导致语音和喉咙问题的更广泛因素来补充现有的ENT或SLT服务。