LEMG has a high PPV in predicting the long-term outcome of UVFP patients with poor prognosis. Permanent laryngeal framework surgery is feasible if patients have positive findings at least 2 months after symptom onset.
Of the 74 patients in this study, 44 (60%) who received a single injection and 16 (22%) who received repeated injections did not require another treatment after long-term follow-up. Laryngeal electromyography-guided hyaluronic acid VF injection is an option for treating UVFP with satisfactory results.
Purpose
The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire assesses the impact of total laryngectomy on voice-related quality of life. This study evaluates the Mandarin VHI, including its internal consistency, test–retest reliability, content validity, and differences in scores for Mandarin alaryngeal patients with pneumatic artificial laryngeal (PA) and esophageal (ES) speech.
Method
Translation and validation of the VHI questionnaire was performed through the forward–backward translation technique. This study used a sample of 78 PA and 23 ES participants from Taiwan who completed the Mandarin VHI. Forty-two of the alaryngeal participants completed the Mandarin VHI twice over a period of 7–63 days.
Results
The measurement of the internal consistency of the Mandarin VHI showed a high Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total score (.975) and the functional (.930), physical (.939), and emotional (.938) subscales. Based on the results of the intraclass correlation coefficients, good test–retest reliability for the total and domain scores was found (intraclass correlation coefficient = .827–.863).
Conclusion
The Mandarin VHI was validated as an instrument with proper internal consistency and reliability, which supports the Mandarin VHI as a valid instrument for the self-evaluation of handicaps related to voice problems in PA and ES speakers.
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