MUSCLE TENSION DYSPHONIA AMONG PROFESSIONAL VOICE USERS: CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

Jakub Buziak; Julita  Papińska; Szymon  Bojanowski; Katarzyna  Cencelewicz; Patrycja  Bździuch; Paulina  Miciuda; Aleksandra  Wojtera; Patrycja  Małyszek; Franciszek Cezary Pastuszak; Magdalena  Lengier

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5933

Authors

Jakub Buziak Franciszek Raszeja Municipal Hospital in Poznan, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5833-975X
Julita Papińska Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1758-1373
Szymon Bojanowski Medical University of Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4264-102X
Katarzyna Cencelewicz 1st Military Clinical Hospital with the Outpatient Clinic, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5318-4606
Patrycja Bździuch John Paul II Western Hospital, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6830-0287
Paulina Miciuda Hospital of the Order of the Bonifraters of St. Jan Grande in Krakow, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0719-5260
Aleksandra Wojtera Franciszek Raszeja Municipal Hospital in Poznan, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7288-676X
Patrycja Małyszek Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7324-573X
Franciszek Cezary Pastuszak Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8064-5377
Magdalena Lengier Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3402-6005

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5933

Keywords:

Muscle Tension Dysphonia; Functional Voice Disorder; Voice Therapy; Laryngeal Tension; Dysphonia; Vocal Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) is a common functional voice disorder characterized by excessive laryngeal and paralaryngeal muscle activity during phonation. The disorder negatively affects vocal quality, communication, occupational functioning, and quality of life.

Aim: This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of Muscle Tension Dysphonia.

Material and methods: A PRISMA-informed narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Publications from 2003–2025 concerning functional dysphonia, laryngeal muscle tension, diagnostic methods, psychosocial factors, and voice therapy were analyzed.

Results: Current evidence indicates that MTD is a multifactorial disorder associated with excessive laryngeal tension, maladaptive vocal behaviors, occupational voice overuse, stress, and impaired respiratory-phonatory coordination. Diagnostic assessment should include perceptual voice evaluation, videolaryngostroboscopy, acoustic analysis, and patient-reported outcome measures. Behavioral voice therapy remains the primary evidence-based treatment. Manual circumlaryngeal therapy, semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, respiratory retraining, and psychosocial interventions may additionally improve clinical outcomes.

Conclusions: MTD is a complex biopsychosocial disorder requiring individualized and interdisciplinary management. Further high-quality studies are necessary to standardize diagnostic criteria and optimize therapeutic protocols.

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