Surface Electromyography to Identify Laryngeal Tension in Selective Mutism: Could this be the Missing Link?

Cesar E Ruiz* and Evelyn R Klein*

Received: December 10, 2018;   Published: December 17, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.12.002222

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Abstract

Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety based disorder that impedes the ability to speak in varied situations. The purpose of this paper is to share a study providing information using surface electromyography to measure laryngeal tension for voice initiation in 33 children with SM. Results indicated that elevated laryngeal tension was present when children with SM were asked to produce vowel sounds and speech. Requests for speech at the beginning of the evaluation process produced significantly more tension when compared to measures obtained after children became more familiar with the setting and evaluators. The findings provide a better understanding of the physiological consequences of anxiety on voice production at the level of the larynx in children with SM.

Keywords :Selective Mutism; Surface Electromyography; Laryngeal tension; Vocal Control

Abbreviations : SM: Selective Mutism; sEMG: Surface Electromyography; ACC: Anterior Cingulate Cortex; PAG: Periaqueductal Grey; GMV: Gyrus Gray Matter Volumes