The Vocal Fold Dysfunction Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version

Hamide Ghaemi; Seyyedeh Maryam Khoddami; Zahra Soleymani; Fariborz Zandieh; Shohreh Jalaie; Hamid Ahanchian; Ehsan Khadivi

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.08.022

The Vocal Fold Dysfunction Questionnaire: Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version

J Voice. 2018 Nov;32(6):710-714. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.08.022. Epub 2017 Dec 25.

Authors

Hamide Ghaemi¹, Seyyedeh Maryam Khoddami¹, Zahra Soleymani², Fariborz Zandieh³, Shohreh Jalaie⁴, Hamid Ahanchian⁵, Ehsan Khadivi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Pediatric, School of Medical, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁶ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

PMID: 29284560
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.08.022

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop, validate, and assess the reliability of the Persian version of Vocal Cord Dysfunction Questionnaire (VCDQ_P).

Study design: The study design was cross-sectional or cultural survey.

Materials and methods: Forty-four patients with vocal fold dysfunction (VFD) and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. To assess the content validity, the prefinal questions were given to 15 experts to comment on its essential. Ten patients with VFD rated the importance of VCDQ_P in detecting face validity. Eighteen of the patients with VFD completed the VCDQ 1 week later for test-retest reliability. To detect absolute reliability, standard error of measurement and smallest detected change were calculated. Concurrent validity was assessed by completing the Persian Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Assessment Test (CAT) by 34 patients with VFD. Discriminant validity was measured from 34 participants. The VCDQ was further validated by administering the questionnaire to 40 healthy volunteers. Validation of the VCDQ as a treatment outcome tool was conducted in 18 patients with VFD using pre- and posttreatment scores.

Results: The internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach α = 0.78). The test-retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97). The standard error of measurement and smallest detected change values were acceptable (0.39 and 1.08, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the VCDQ_P and the CAT total scores (P < 0.05). Discriminative validity was significantly different. The VCDQ scores in patients with VFD before and after treatment was significantly different (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The VCDQ was cross-culturally adapted to Persian and demonstrated to be a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire in Persian-speaking population.

Keywords: Asthma; Questionnaire; Self-report assessment; Validity and reliability; Vocal fold dysfunction.

Publication types

Validation Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Auditory Perception*
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cultural Characteristics
Female
Humans
Iran
Male
Middle Aged
Predictive Value of Tests
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Self Report
Surveys and Questionnaires*
Translating
Vocal Cord Dysfunction / diagnosis*
Vocal Cord Dysfunction / physiopathology
Vocal Cord Dysfunction / psychology
Vocal Cords / physiopathology*
Voice Disorders / diagnosis*
Voice Disorders / physiopathology
Voice Disorders / psychology
Voice Quality*
Young Adult