RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to validate the Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTD) Argentine version. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized, cross-sectional prospective study with control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The VTD Scale was culturally and linguistically adapted to Argentinian Spanish according to the recommended requirements of translation, closely observing the methodology that was suggested (translation, summary, review and back-translation). The scale Argentine version (Escala de disconfort del tracto vocal) was administered to 107 patients with muscle-tension dysphonia (MTD) (23 men and 84 women, mean ages being: 32.30 ± 9.09 years old for MTD type I, and 31.23 ± 8.45 years old for MTD type II) and 30 volunteers with no vocal pathology (9 men and 21 women, mean ages being: 44.3 ± 8.72 years old). All patients completed the Escala de disconfort del tracto vocal before and after Mathieson Laryngeal Manual Therapy. The results of the VTD Scale administered in both patients and vocally healthy subjects were initially compared; the changes arising from pre and post therapy were also compared in the second phase. The internal consistency of the VTD Scale was assessed using Cronbach alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The internal consistency assessed was considered acceptable for both subscales within the VTD Scale. The values obtained for frequency, severity, and total score of the Scale were similar in patients with MTD I and MTD II, marking a difference with those obtained in the control group of healthy volunteers. A lump feeling in the throat was one of the most frequent symptoms in both MTD and vocally healthy groups. CONCLUSION: The VTD Scale shows an acceptable consistency, so it is a highly reproducible, reliable, and valuable instrument of evaluation to assess Argentinian patients with voice disorders.
Assuntos
Autoavaliação Diagnóstica , Disfonia/diagnóstico , Prega Vocal/fisiopatologia , Qualidade da Voz , Adulto , Argentina , Percepção Auditiva , Estudos Transversais , Disfonia/fisiopatologia , Disfonia/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Estudos Prospectivos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To verify vocal tract discomfort (VTD) in teachers and determine its relationship to the presence of self-reported voice problems (S-rVPs), vocal signs and symptoms, voice self-assessment, and perceptual analysis of voice quality. METHODS: Thirty-two teachers with vocal complaints and 30 teachers with no complaints. PROCEDURES: Demographic questionnaire, signs and symptoms questionnaire, VTD scale, vocal self-assessment, and perceptual analysis of voice. RESULTS: The S-rVPs group was presented with higher frequency of all vocal signs and symptoms and also had greater frequency and intensity of discomfort than the teachers without complaint, for all the analyzed items (P<0.05). The group with S-rVPs experienced more than twice the level of discomfort than the group without S-rVPs (mean 6.3 vs 2.8 symptoms, P<0.05). Teachers with voice problems felt at least three symptoms of discomfort, whereas some teachers without complaint did not have any discomfort. We found a correlation between self-perceived voice and VTD. On the other hand, there is little correlation between discomfort and perceptual analysis of voice quality. VTD is also associated with specific voice signs/symptoms that might indicate an incipient voice disorder. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the importance of understanding the subjects' perception of their own problems so that issues experienced by patients that are not directly apparent to the clinician can be addressed in the treatment. Symptoms related to the vocal tract must therefore be given consideration to ensure a comprehensive and more relevant approach to the needs of patients.