Respiratory and Real-time Dynamics in Exercise-Induced Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion

Inclusion criteria

for Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO):

• Physically active >2.5 hours per week
• Patients with EILO, as diagnosed by routine clinical examination by physician and/or speech language pathologist
• Age range of 18-26 years
• Greater difficulty breathing inside compared to out and difficulty breathing which is exacerbated at peak exercise and stops 1-5 minutes after exercise
• Score of 7 or higher on the Dyspnea Index, which is a validated instrument to capture participant self-report of upper airway dyspnea symptoms.
• Classified as low risk, based on the modified Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) questionnaire, body mass index, and non-smoking status
• Negative history of voice disorders, self-report of cognitive difficulties, asthma or other lung disease, cardiac disease, serious orthopedic injuries, current uncontrolled hypertension, illicit drug use, seizure/epilepsy, claustrophobia, use of beta blockers.
• No metallic, mechanical or magnetic implants such as cardiac devices, cochlear, or other non-removable ear implants, any prosthesis, stents, deep brain stimulator, etc.

Inclusion criteria

for Controls

• Physically active >2.5 hours per week
• Age range of 18-26 years
• Classified as low risk, based on the modified PAR-Q questionnaire, body mass index, and non-smoking status
• Negative history of voice disorders, self-report of cognitive difficulties, asthma or other lung disease, cardiac disease, serious orthopedic injuries, current uncontrolled hypertension, illicit drug use, seizure/epilepsy, claustrophobia, use of beta blockers.
• No metallic, mechanical or magnetic implants such as cardiac devices, cochlear, or other non-removable ear implants, any prosthesis, stents, deep brain stimulator, etc.

Exclusion criteria

for EILO:

• Individuals older than 26 years and younger than 18 years of age.
• Women who are pregnant or could possibly be pregnant.
• BMI > 25 kg/m2
• A 'yes' answer to any of the 14 questions on the PAR-Q pre-participation questionnaire
• Current smoker
• Positive history of voice disorders, self-report of cognitive difficulties, asthma or other lung disease, cardiac disease, serious orthopedic injuries, current uncontrolled hypertension, illicit drug use, seizure/epilepsy, claustrophobia, use of beta blockers.
• Presence of metallic, mechanical or magnetic implants such as cardiac devices, cochlear, or other non-removable ear implants, any prosthesis, stents, deep brain stimulator, etc.
• Do not report the following: Greater difficulty breathing inside compared to out and difficulty breathing which is exacerbated at peak exercise and stops 1-5 minutes after exercise

Exclusion criteria

for Controls

• Individuals older than 26 years and younger than 18 years of age.
• Women who are pregnant or could possibly be pregnant.
• BMI > 25 kg/m2
• A 'yes' answer to any of the 14 questions on the PAR-Q pre-participation questionnaire
• Current smoker
• Positive history of voice disorders, self-report of cognitive difficulties, asthma or other lung disease, cardiac disease, serious orthopedic injuries, current uncontrolled hypertension, illicit drug use, seizure/epilepsy, claustrophobia, use of beta blockers.
• Presence of metallic, mechanical or magnetic implants such as cardiac devices, cochlear, or other non-removable ear implants, any prosthesis, stents, deep brain stimulator, etc.
• Significant acute or chronic medical, neurologic, or illness in the patient that, in the judgment of the Principal Investigator, could compromise subject safety, limit the ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study