Reproducibility (test-retest) of vocal symptoms and laryngeal-pharyngeal sensations

Abstract

Aim: to evaluate the test-retest reproducibility of the questions pertaining to the list of vocal symptoms and laryngeal-pharyngeal sensations present in the instrument named Vocal Production Conditions of Teachers (VPC-T). Method: One hundred teachers who sought attention at a public hospital in São Paulo with voice complaints responded to the VPC-T questionnaire. Of these, 36 completed the same instrument after an interval of 15 days. The social demographic questions were used in order to characterize the sample and the variables regarding vocal symptoms and laryngeal pharyngeal sensations were analyzed descriptively and compared for test-retest situations, using Kappa (k) statistics (p≤0.05) in order to assess the agreement between both questionnaire completions. Results: The gross agreement of the analyzed vocal symptoms (hoarseness, breaking voice, low-pitched voice and weak voice) and of laryngeal pharyngeal sensations (globus, phlegm, pain when speaking, sore throat, dry throat and strained speech) was higher than 75% and the k values for vocal symptoms varied in between 0,52 and 0,74 and for laryngeal pharyngeal sensations in between 0,36 and 0,59. Conclusion: The results showed agreement varying from regular to strong in the study for test-retest reproducibility.