Adaptation and validation of the Italian Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10-IT)

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2023 Apr;43(2):114-122. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N2311.

Abstract
in English, Italian

Objective: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Italian version of the singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10-IT).

Methods: 99 Italian singers were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent videolaryngostroboscopic examination and were asked to fill out the self-reported 10-item SVHI-10-IT. Laryngostroboscopic examination was pathological in 56 subjects (study group) (56.6%), while it was normal in the remaining 43 singers (control group) (43.4%). Dimensionality, test retest and internal validity for SVHI-10-IT were performed. Videolaryngostroboscopy was used as gold-standard for external validity.

Results: The items of SVHI-10-IT were uni-dimensional and Cronbach's α was 0.853 (95% CI = 0.805-0.892). High and comparable area under curve (AUC:0.93 95% CI = 0.88-0.98) values indicate a good ability of the scale to distinguish between the study and control groups. Based on balanced sensitivity (Se = 83.9%) and specificity (Sp = 86.0%), the optimal cut-off score for a singer's perceived voice handicap was 12.

Conclusions: The SVHI-10-IT is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate the self-reported singing voice handicap among singers. It can also be used as a quick screening tool since a score higher than 12 is indicative of a problematic voice as perceived by singers.

Adattamento e validazione in italiano del Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10-IT).

Obiettivo: Questo studio riporta il processo di validazione in lingua italiana del Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10-IT).

Metodi: 99 cantanti italiani hanno compilato il SVHI-10-IT dopo essere stati sottoposti a laringostroboscopia, utilizzata come gold-standard di validità esterna. 56 soggetti presentavano lesioni patologiche (gruppo di studio) (56,6%), mentre i restanti 43 una morfologia nei limiti (gruppo di controllo) (43,4%). Sul questionario SVHI-10-IT sono state eseguite prove di dimensionalità, test-retest e validità interna.

Risultati: Le variabili del SVHI-10-IT sono risultate uni-dimensionali e l’α di Cronbach era 0.853 (CI 95% = 0,805-0,892). Valori alti e coerenti alla curva ROC (AUC = 0,93; CI 95% = 0,88-0,98) indicano l’abilità del questionario di distinguere tra soggetti patologici e normali con un valore di cut-off di 12, calcolato basandosi su livelli equilibrati di sensibilità (Se = 83,9%) e specificità (Sp = 86,0%).

Conclusioni: L’SVHI-10-IT è uno strumento valido e affidabile per valutare il livello di handicap vocale auto-riferito in una popolazione di cantanti. Può essere applicato come strumento rapido di screening, utilizzando 12 come valore di cut-off indicativo di problema vocale.

Keywords: SVHI; SVHI-10; Singing Voice Handicap Index; dysphonia; singing.

MeSH terms

  • Disability Evaluation
  • Humans
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Singing*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Voice Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Voice Quality

Grants and funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.