Change in Nasalance by Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for Hypernasal Speech

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Cleft Palate Association Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 28 - 35
• Main Authors: HARA, Hisanaga, MORIMOTO, Chika, WADA, Takeshi, KOH, Hideyasu, HIRATA, Sohichiroh, YONEDA, Mayumi, TACHIMURA, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Cleft Palate Association 31.01.1998
• Subjects: cleft palate; continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); hypernasal speech; nasalance; velopharyngeal incompetence; 口蓋裂; 持続的鼻腔内陽圧負荷; 開鼻声; 鼻咽腔閉鎖不全
• ISSN: 0386-5185; 2186-5701
• DOI: 10.11224/cleftpalate1976.23.1_28

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficiency of the treatment for hypemasal speech using CPAP therapy. Ten cleft palate patients who underwent surgery, three female and seven males, aged from 10 to 21 years, were selected as the subjects. The subjects had normal articulation but mild to moderate hypernasality.. Each subject was instructed to perform speech drills six days a week according to a protocol, which included a daily program in volving change of nasal air pressure and speech tasks. Induced air pressure was incrementally increased on a week by week basis for 8 weeks. Evaluation of improvement in velopharyngeal closure was carried out at 3,6, and 12 months after CPAP therapy as well as prior to it. For four of the ten subjects, the nasalance score after the CPAP therapy was significantly smaller (p<0.05; t-test) than that before the therapy. The results suggested that the CPAP therapy could reduce mild hypernasality.