Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40815547›Full record

ArticleThe Laryngoscope2026

Long-Term Daytime Use of Sodium Oxybate in Laryngeal Dystonia: A Follow-Up Online Survey Study.

Lena C O'Flynn, Kristina Simonyan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Laryngoscope, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Lena C O'FlynnDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6368-0793
Kristina SimonyanDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-7444-0437

Funding

Imaging genetics of spasmodic dysphoniaR01DC011805 · NIDCD · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · PI Kristina Simonyan · 2012 to 2026
$8.8M
Voice tremor in spasmodic dysphonia: central mechanisms and treatment responseR01DC012545 · NIDCD · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · PI SIMONYAN, KRISTINA · 2012 to 2021
$5.2M
Clinical Validation of DystoniaNet Deep Learning Platform for Diagnosis of Isolated DystoniaR01NS124228 · NINDS · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · PI Kristina Simonyan · 2022 to 2026
$2.7M
Brain Networks in DystoniaR01NS088160 · NINDS · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · PI SIMONYAN, KRISTINA · 2015 to 2019
$2.4M
Adaptive closed-loop brain-computer interface therapeutic intervention in laryngeal dystoniaR01DC019353 · NIDCD · MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY · PI SIMONYAN, KRISTINA · 2021 to 2025
$1.8M
NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC011805NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC012545NIDCD NIH HHS R01DC012545NIDCD NIH HHS R01 DC019353NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS088160NINDS NIH HHS R01 NS124228
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLaryngeal dystonia (LD) is a task-specific focal dystonia marked by involuntary spasms in the laryngeal muscles during speech production. Sodium oxybate has recently been demonstrated as a new treatment option for alcohol-responsive (EtOH+) LD patients.

objectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term use of sodium oxybate for the treatment of LD.

methodsA total of 149 LD patients were invited to complete the online survey study. Seventy-seven patients (mean age 65.2 ± 11.5 years, 54 females/23 males) completed 21 questions related to their disorder and the use of sodium oxybate.

resultsSix patients (7.8%) reported receiving a prescription of sodium oxybate for the treatment of their voice symptoms. Of these, three EtOH+ patients (50%) reported receiving 1-1.25 g of sodium oxybate on an as-needed basis, with an average of 79.3% ± 20.0% reduction in self-perceived voice symptoms following drug intake. Drug usage ranged from three times per day 5 days per week to three times per month over the span of 6 months-12 years. Patients reported experiencing mild side effects that lasted 1-2 h, including drowsiness, dizziness, or nausea. The remaining three patients reported not being able to fill their prescriptions due to medical insurance reimbursements.

conclusionsDespite the limited sample size, this study demonstrates that the long-term daytime use of sodium oxybate for the treatment of voice symptoms is safe and effective for EtOH+ isolated focal LD patients. The study highlights medical insurance coverage as one of the limiting factors hindering LD patients from accessing this medication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

Indexed as

DystoniaDystonic DisordersLaryngeal DiseasesSodium OxybateAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeSodium Oxybatelaryngeal dystoniasodium oxybatesurveytreatment

Identifiers

PMID40815547
PMCPMC12880081

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.