Treatment of dysphonia and dysphagia by transcranial direct current stimulation by applying the functional brain imaging

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16848
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Kiyuna Asanori 琉球大学, 医学部, 委託非常勤講師 (10433103)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 経頭蓋直流電気刺激 / 音声障害 / 嚥下障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transcranial direct current electrical stimulation was performed in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 5 cases of voice disorders with no organic abnormalities in the vocal cords. In 3 cases of spasmodic dysphonia, some effects were observed both subjectively and objectively, but the reproducibility was poor and the duration was short. Other treatments (surgical treatment, botulinum treatment) were covered by insurance during this study period and could not show an advantage over those treatments. No significant effect was observed in essential voice tremor and psychogenic aphonia. Overall, the effectiveness of transcranial direct current electrical stimulation for these voice disorders could not be shown. Regarding cases of dysphagia, it was difficult to recruit appropriate cases for this study, and the study could not be carried out.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

声帯に器質的異常のない音声障害に対する新たな治療法としての経頭蓋直流電気刺激の可能性について研究を行った。一部わずかに効果を認めた症例もあったが、全体的には明らかな有効性は示せなかった。痙攣性発声障害に対しては研究期間中に保険適応となった手術やボツリヌス注射と比較し有効性は示せなかった。本研究の対象者において軽度の倦怠感が1例に認めたのみで、その他の有害事象は認めず安全性は確認された。まだ治療法の確立していない疾患で、今後経頭蓋直流電気刺激の可能性を検討している研究に対して、安全に行えることを提示できた。