Systematic Review and Descriptive Pooled Analysis: Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy for Laryngeal Dystonia.

ReviewJournal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation· Aug 2026

Systematic Review and Descriptive Pooled Analysis: Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy for Laryngeal Dystonia.

Miraan Jhaveri, Mary Hawkshaw, Robert T Sataloff

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Stereotactic & FunctionalReviewTreatmentQ2IF 2.1

Deep brain stimulation was associated with 47.6% improvement in voice symptom scores in laryngeal dystonia.

Systematic Review and Descriptive Pooled Analysis: Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy for Laryngeal Dystonia.

Miraan Jhaveri … Robert T Sataloff

Journal of voice · Aug 2026

Background

Laryngeal dystonia (laryngeal dystonia) is a focal dystonia causing involuntary laryngeal muscle contractions that can impair voice.

Purpose

This systematic review and descriptive pooled analysis aimed to synthesize all available evidence on the efficacy of deep brain stimulation for laryngeal dystonia.

Methods

Studies were eligible if they enrolled adult patients with laryngeal dystonia who underwent deep brain stimulation and reported at least one voice outcome.

n = 24 patients

Results

voice symptoms improved substantially after deep brain stimulation

USDRS

47.6%

VHI

49.5%

VR-QOL

74%

More results

The predominant subtype was adductor laryngeal dystonia (n = 21), and most patients received ventral intermediate nucleus (Ventral Intermediate) deep brain stimulation (n = 22).

Mean improvement on the Voice Handicap Index (Voice Handicap Index) was 49.5%, and improvement on the Voice-Related Quality of Life scale (VR-QOL) exceeded 74%.

More results

Where calculable, Cohen's d was -2.25, indicating a large treatment effect.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Deep brain stimulation, particularly in the Ventral Intermediate (Ventral Intermediate) nucleus, is associated with voice improvement in patients with laryngeal dystonia refractory to BTX-A.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

The evidence base is limited in design as it remains case-level due to lack of robust prospective trials.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Prospective, multicenter studies and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish durability and efficacy of deep brain stimulation.

Systematic Review and Descriptive Pooled Analysis: Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy for Laryngeal Dystonia.

Systematic Review and Descriptive Pooled Analysis: Deep Brain Stimulation Efficacy for Laryngeal Dystonia.

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