A new training method for velopharyngeal dysfunction: Self-inhalation for hypernasality

Objective: There are various methods to treat velopharyngeal dysfunction including surgery and rehabilitation therapy. Even if a rehabilitation program is effective, the evaluation of its efficacy remains subjective. In this paper, we propose a new method of rehabilitation training for velopharyngeal dysfunction focusing on the objective peak inspiratory flow (PIF) rate. Methods: Four patients, who were diagnosed with velopharyngeal dysfunction without cleft palate at ENT clinic of the National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, participated in this study. All patients underwent our original rehabilitation program for velopharyngeal dysfunction, a method using the In-Check Dial, Turbohaler model. As a self-training rehabilitation program, we asked them to inhale forcefully 10 times daily at home using the In-Check Dial to increase the value of PIF rate for 3 months. We measured the patients’ PIF rates with the In-Check Dial at the ENT clinic at the initial visit and after the 3-month training. Results: The PIF rates of the four patients without nasal clips were higher than the rates with nasal clips at the initial visit. After the training, PIF rate without a nasal clip of all patients increased than the rate at the initial visit, which represented significant difference (P < 0.05). Also, after 3 months, PIF rate without a nasal clip was higher or equal than the rates with a nasal clip at the initial visit except one case. Naso-pharyngo-laryngeal fiberscopy did not detect salivary pooling around larynx and mirror fogging test did not show nasal escape in the three of four patients after 3 months of training. All reported improvement in dysphagia and dysarthria. Conclusion: This new method can be used not only to evaluate velopharyngeal function but also as an effective self-training treatment.