Validation of “Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy” (SECEL) Questionnaire for Spanish-Speaking Laryngectomized Patients

Abstract

Background: Laryngectomized patients have communicative limitations when they lose their phonatory function after surgery. The scale “Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngectomy” (SECEL) assesses the impact of total laryngectomy on quality of life related to communication. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the SECEL from English to Spanish and to apply this first version to a group of patients to check its reliability and validity. Materials and Methods: One-hundred-and-one laryngectomized patients completed the SECEL scale adjusted to Spanish, the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire. Results: The Spanish version of the SECEL questionnaire has the same format and conceptual, semantic and idiomatic meaning as the original. The resulting model is composed of 21 items dimensioned in two highly correlated factors that are clear, meaningful, and replicable leading to measures that are reliable enough to be used in clinical evaluation. Conclusion: The Spanish translation and validation of the SECEL questionnaire were performed. It can be considered an appropriate tool to assess communication skills from laryngectomized people.

Validation of the "obturator functioning scale" for Chinese-speaking patients with obturator prostheses after cancer-related maxillectomy

“…The goodness-of-fit of the model was evaluated using several parameters: the Chi-square (χ 2 ), degrees of freedom (df), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Standardised Root Mean Square of Residuals (SRMR), Normed Fit Index (NFI), Incremental Fit Index (IFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), and Comparative Fit Index (CFI). If the value of χ 2 /df is < 3, the model fit is acceptable; a value < 2 is considered an adequate fit [ 27 ]. A value of RMSEA less than 0.05 indicates a close fit, values in the range of 0.05–0.08 a fair fit, values in the range of 0.08–0.10 a mediocre fit, and values greater than 0.10 a poor fit [ 28 ].…”