Outcomes of Voice Therapy in Organic Voice Disorders: A Scoping Review—Part B

OBJECTIVE: To map the outcomes used to assess the effect of voice therapy in adults with organic voice disorders. METHODS: This scoping review represents Part B of a broader review developed under a single registered protocol (Open Science Framework; doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/YDGA8). While Part A addressed behavioral voice disorders, the present review focused exclusively on organic etiologies. Comprehensive searches were conducted in bibliographic databases and gray literature sources, complemented by backward and forward citation tracking. Studies were eligible if they included adults diagnosed with organic voice disorders who underwent voice therapy, with outcomes assessed within the scope of speech-language pathology. Data extraction covered publication characteristics, sample features, and assessment outcomes. Findings were synthesized using descriptive methods and summarized in tables and figures. RESULTS: A total of 122 studies were included. Most publications occurred in the last decade and were predominantly conducted in the United States, with the Journal of Voice being the most frequent publication outlet. Sample sizes varied widely, and the mean reported age was 56.9 years. Parkinson's disease and vocal fold paralysis were the most frequently investigated conditions. Most studies included participants of both genders and focused on nonprofessional voice users. Vocal complaints and interviews or case histories were commonly reported. Acoustic analysis was the most frequently used assessment procedure, followed by self-assessment instruments, auditory-perceptual judgment, laryngeal imaging, and aerodynamic assessment. CONCLUSION: Outcomes used to assess the effects of voice therapy in adults with organic voice disorders primarily span acoustic, auditory-perceptual, self-assessment, laryngeal imaging, and aerodynamic domains. These outcomes reflect vocal characteristics associated with the underlying organic conditions and differ from those commonly reported in behavioral voice disorders, indicating alignment with disease-specific vocal manifestations.