Voice Handicap Index check pre and post vocal intervention in patients with dysphonia

摘要

Purpose: Characterize and measure the voice self-perception of patients pre and post speech therapy treatment using the ??ndice de Desvantagem Vocal (IDV) protocol, adapted from the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) protocol. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a database of patients seen in a speech therapy service. Results: The sample comprised 23 patients, 16 (69.6%) of whom female and seven (30.4%) male. The mean age was 58 years and the mean therapy duration was three months with 11 sessions. Among the types of dysphonia found, organic was the most frequent (47.8%) followed by functional (30.7%) and organic-functional (21.7%). The protocol's total score median decreased prior to intervention compared to the post-intervention period, which means a lower voice handicap. Moreover, 80% of the protocol's questions significantly differed when compared pre and post speech therapy. Conclusion: A difference was found in voice perception after speech therapy intervention, indicated by lower scores in the IDV items. The findings show the importance of using the IDV protocol in clinical practice to help the speech therapist target the treatment and understand the voice behavior of dysphonic patients. Further research is suggested given the instrument's efficacy.