Maria Sobol

Adaptation and Validation of the Voice-Related Quality of Life Measure Into Polish.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to translate and adapt the original V-RQOL (Voice-Related Quality of Life) instrument into Polish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure such as internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity in different groups of dysphonic patients. METHODS A total of 214 patients with voice disorders were assessed using the V-RQOL Measure, the Voice Handicap Index, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life, short version. RESULTS The Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure showed strong internal consistency with the Cronbach alpha coefficient: 0.92 for the total score, 0.90 for the social-emotional domain, and 0.86 for the physical functioning domain, and a good test-retest reliability (r-Spearman correlation coefficient: r = 0.8852 for the total score of the V-RQOL Measure). Construct validity was demonstrated with a strong correlation to the Voice Handicap Index (r = -0.843, P = 0.000*) and a weak positive, statistically significant correlation between the V-RQOL-physical functioning domain, V-RQOL-social-emotional domain, and the Q1, Q2, and Domain 1-Domain 4 of the World Health Organization Quality of Life, short version (0.2 < r < 0.4). CONCLUSIONS The Polish version of the V-RQOL Measure is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate the patients perception of his or her own voice disorders and the impact it can have on the patients life. The V-RQOL Measure is easy to perform in clinical practice.

Combined Functional Voice Therapy in Singers With Muscle Tension Dysphonia in Singing

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate vocal tract function and the voice quality in singers with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) after undergoing combined functional voice therapy of the singing voice. DESIGN This is a prospective, randomized study. METHODS Forty singers (29 females and 11 males, mean age: 24.6 ± 8.8 years) with MTD were enrolled in the study. The study group consisted of 20 singers who underwent combined functional voice therapy (10-15 individual sessions, 30-40 minutes each). Singers who did not opt for vocal rehabilitation consisted of the control group. Effects of rehabilitation were assessed with videolaryngostroboscopy, palpation of the vocal tract structures, flexible fiberoptic evaluation of the pharynx and the larynx, perceptual speaking and singing voice assessment, acoustic analysis, maximal phonation time, and the Voice Handicap Index. RESULTS After combined functional voice therapy in the study group, great improvement was noticed in palpation of the vocal tract structures (P < 0.001), perceptual voice assessment (P < 0.001), phonetograms (P = 0.002), and singing range obtained from acoustic analysis of glissando (P < 0.001). In the control group, no statistically significant differences were found between the first and the second assessments. CONCLUSIONS Combined functional voice therapy proved to be an efficacious treatment method in singers with MTD in singing. Development of palpation and perceptual singing voice examination protocols enables one to compare results before and after rehabilitation in clinics.

Adaptation and validation of the Singing Voice Handicap Index into Polish

To translate and adapt the original Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) for the Polish population and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish SVHI version, such as internal consistency, reliability and construct validity in different groups of dysphonic singers.

Narrow band imaging versus laryngovideostroboscopy in precancerous and malignant vocal fold lesions

This is a comparative analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of narrow band imaging (NBI) and laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) in the assessment of premalignant and malignant vocal fold lesions.

Laryngeal stroboscopy - normative values for amplitude, open quotient, asymmetry and phase difference in young adults

To provide the normative values for laryngeal stroboscopy (LS) concerning amplitude, open quotient, asymmetry and phase difference in healthy, young subjects.

Injection laryngoplasty as miniinvasive office-based surgery in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis – voice quality outcomes

Introduction Injection laryngoplasty (glottis augmentation) is the preferred method in surgical management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Traditionally, these procedures are performed in the operating room. Nowadays, however, these procedures have moved into the office. Aim To evaluate the voice quality after transoral injection laryngoplasty under local anaesthesia in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Material and methods Fourteen subjects (5 women and 9 men) with unilateral vocal fold paresis (9 with right vocal fold paresis and 5 with left vocal fold paresis) were included in the study. The mean age of the group was 57.8 ±19.0 years (32–83 years). All of the injection laryngoplasties were performed transorally, under local anaesthesia. The injection material was calcium hydroxylapatite. Before and 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure the following variables were evaluated: voice perception, videostroboscopy, acoustic analysis, aerodynamic evaluation, and the subjective rating of the voice quality by the patient. Results After injection laryngoplasty, complete glottal closure was achieved or there was a significant improvement in the glottal closure of each subject. We noted great improvement in the post-injection objective and subjective voice outcomes and patients reported improvement in the voice-related quality of life. Conclusions The transoral approach for injection laryngoplasty under local anaesthesia is an effective and safe way to treat incomplete glottal closure in patients with UVFP. The transoral approach is an efficient alternative to other surgical techniques used for vocal fold injection.

Long-term effects of laryngeal augmentation with calcium hydroxyapatite under local anaesthesia

Wstęp: Cel badania stanowi ocena efektów długoterminowych augmentacji krtani w znieczuleniu miejscowym przy pomocy hydroksyapatytu wapnia. Materiał i metody: W badaniu wzięło udział 17 pacjentów, którzy z powodu niewydolności szpary głośni (z powodu jednostronnego porażenia krtani oraz niewydolności mięśni wewnętrznych krtani) zostali zakwalifikowani do przeprowadzenia augmentacji krtani (10 kobiet i 17 mężczyzn), w wieku: 57,6±17,7 lat, mediana 61 lat, z zakresem: 32-83 lata. U wszystkich pacjentów wykonano augmentację krtani w znieczuleniu miejscowym, przez jamę ustną, podając bocznie od fałdu głosowego/ fałdów głosowych hydroksyapatyt wapnia (preparat Radiesse). W celu oceny efektów długoterminowych augmentacji krtani - przeprowadzano ocenę jakości głosu pacjenta przed augmentacją, a następnie 3 i 12 miesięcy po augmentacji krtani, przy pomocy oceny videolaryngostroboskopowej krtani, oceny odsłuchowej, analizy akustycznej, oceny aerodynamicznej oraz samooceny głosu dokonanej przez pacjenta przy pomocy kwestionariusza VRQoL. Wyniki: Uzyskano istotną statystycznie poprawę w ocenie odsłuchowej głosu dla parametrów G i A, po 3 miesiącach, dobre wyniki utrzymywały się w czasie 12-miesięcznej obserwacji. W ocenie akustycznej MDVP_Jitt, MDVP_Shim i MDVP_NHR poprawiły się odpowiednio do wartości: 2,5; 5 oraz 0,1 (3 miesiące po augmentacji) i 1,9; 3,6 oraz 0,1 (12 miesiące po augmentacji). MPTa wydłużył się do 12,2 i 11,9 s., odpowiednio po 3 i 12 miesiącach od augmentacji. Natężenie głosu poprawiło się z 67 do 68 oraz 71 dB(A), odpowiednio po 3 i 12 miesiącach. Wyniki: VRQoL poprawiły się do wartości 19,5 i 20, odpowiednio 3 i 12 miesięcy po augmentacji. Dyskusja Augmentacja krtani w znieczuleniu miejscowym przy pomocy hydroksyapatytu wapnia daje długotrwałe, dobre efekty leczenia.

Voice Profile Recovery and Quality of Life Changes After Microdirect Laryngoscopy in Three Categories of Glottis Lesions: Benign, Precancerous, and Malignant

The aim of the study was comparison of voice and life quality after microdirect laryngoscopy in three patient histopathological categories: benign, precancerous, and malignant glottic lesions. A totalnof 137 patients treated with microdirect laryngoscopy were included in the study. Each patient was evaluated with a multidimensional protocol before and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Final 1-year evaluations were achieved in 74.5% (102). The assessment included laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS), perceptual (GRBAS) grading, aerodynamic measures including maximum phonation time and phonation quotient and acoustic measurements (Kay Elemetrics Multi-Speech program), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Voice-Related Quality of Life questionnaire; and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Version (WHOQoL-BREF). An improvement in mean value of LVS ratings was obtained in all three groups; however, only in benign lesion group was it consistently statistically significant for each time period (P < 0.001). Perceptual evaluation revealed significant improvement of G, R, and B parameters in benign lesions for each time period. In malignant neoplasms R and B parameters improved 3 and 6 months post microsurgery. In patients with benign lesions the maximum phonation time increased, but the improvement was significant only after 3 months. The acoustic parameters improved in all three groups. VHI significantly improved in patients with benign lesions after 3 and 12 months. VHI in the malignant neoplasm group significantly worsened on the first follow-up visit. Considering quality of life (QoL) results, only in patients with benign lesions was there a significant improvement in overall assessment of their QoL and general health.

Contemporary Commercial Music Singing Students—Voice Quality and Vocal Function at the Beginning of Singing Training

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the voice quality and the vocal tract function in popular singing students at the beginning of their singing training at the High School of Music. DESIGN This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS The study consisted of 45 popular singing students (35 females and 10 males, mean age: 19.9 ± 2.8 years). They were assessed in the first 2 months of their 4-year singing training at the High School of Music, between 2013 and 2016. Voice quality and vocal tract function were evaluated using videolaryngostroboscopy, palpation of the vocal tract structures, the perceptual speaking and singing voice assessment, acoustic analysis, maximal phonation time, the Voice Handicap Index, and the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI). RESULTS Twenty-two percent of Contemporary Commercial Music singing students began their education in the High School, with vocal nodules. Palpation of the vocal tract structure showed in 50% correct motions and tension in speaking and in 39.3% in singing. Perceptual voice assessment showed in 80% proper speaking voice quality and in 82.4% proper singing voice quality. The mean vocal fundamental frequency while speaking in females was 214 Hz and in males was 116 Hz. Dysphonia Severity Index was at the level of 2, and maximum phonation time was 17.7 seconds. The Voice Handicap Index and the SVHI remained within the normal range: 7.5 and 19, respectively. Perceptual singing voice assessment correlated with the SVHI (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Twenty-two percent of the Contemporary Commercial Music singing students began their education in the High School, with organic vocal fold lesions.