Translation and Validation of the Dysphagia Handicap Index in Polish-Speaking Patients.

Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) is a self-assessment questionnaire which consists of 25 statements to examine three aspects of dysphagia patients' quality of life (QoL): functional, physical, and emotional. The patient can get a maximum score of 100 points. The study goal was to validate and translate the Polish version of the DHI (PL-DHI). One hundred and seventy-eight (178) individuals with oropharyngeal dysphagia with different etiology and 35 (thirty-five) asymptomatic adults with no history of swallowing disorders filled out the PL-DHI. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach alpha coefficient, which was high for the total PL-DHI score (0.962). The reproducibility was high (r-Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.97 for total PL-DHI score). The PL-DHI's total score and its subscales were significantly higher in the dysphagia patients study group (SG) than in the healthy controls group (CG) (SG median: 36; CG median: 4). A strong correlation was observed between the PL-DHI score and the self-reported dysphagia severity measure (Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.859, p < 0.001). The Polish DHI is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing dysphagia patients' QoL.

The Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI)-Normative Values. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

As the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) becomes more commonly used in clinical practice as a diagnostic tool, it is essential to establish the normative value of DHI. The main purpose of this study is to determine the normative value of DHI among subjects who had no history of dysphagia or neurological disease as well as no history of head or neck malignancy. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. Eligibility criteria included type of publication, participant characteristics and report of outcomes. Data analysis were conducted using meta-analysis method. Five articles were included for the final analysis. The normative value of DHI was 2.49 with confidence interval of 0.51-4.48 for a group of 323 subjects, age range of 20-86 years.

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

OBJECTIVE: To provide the normative values for laryngeal stroboscopy (LS) concerning amplitude, open quotient, asymmetry and phase difference in healthy, young subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: Patients treated at a single institute. METHODS: A total of 68 healthy subjects were included in the study (35 women, 33 men), aged 18-35 years. After obtaining LS recordings, image processing was performed to attain parameters of vocal fold vibration. RESULTS: In women, the location of the maximum vibration amplitude is approximately in the 1/3 posterior part of the glottis, while in men, the location is moved to the glottis centre. In males, the relative amplitude vibration of the vocal folds in the 1/3 anterior part of the glottis was significantly higher than in females (P = 0.029). Women showed significantly higher open quotients (OQ) at the posterior part of the glottis than the male subjects (P < 0.001) and men presented significantly higher OQ at the anterior part of the glottis than the females (P < 0.001). The average OQ values for both sexes were almost the same. Females showed significantly higher relative glottal gap area (P = 0.044). Women presented a significantly lower amplitude asymmetry than men (P = 0.002). The weighted absolute left-right phase difference reached up to 24° and remained insignificantly higher in the men than the women (P = 0.142). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides normative values for LS in young adults for the measurement of therapy outcomes in patients with voice disorders and realisation of evidence-based medicine. The LS parametrisation is easy to perform in clinical practice.

Personality traits in singers performing various music styles and with different singing status.

OBJECTIVES: Objective was to find personality traits in singers performing various music styles and with different singing status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 87 singers (66 females, 21 males; age: M±SD 25.5±8.2 years; 40 students, 22 professionals and 25 amateurs; 38 classical singers, 42 contemporary commercial music [CCM] singers; 55 solo singers and 22 choral singers). Participants filled in the NEO Five-Factor Inventory questionnaire and demographic information form. RESULTS: Median values compared to the Polish general population, suggest that solo, CCM, student and professional singers have a high level of conscientiousness. Those who sing in a choir, classical music, amateurs and students have relatively high level of agreeableness. High level of extraversion is observed among CCM singers and students. Students score higher on extraversion then professionals (p < 0.001). Professionals score higher on extraversion then amateurs (p < 0.01). Professionals less frequently than amateurs and students score high on agreeableness (p < 0.001). High scores on conscientiousness are significantly higher among professionals and students compared to amateurs (p < 0.001 in both cases). Solo singers have higher level of conscientiousness (p < 0.001) and openness (p < 0.001) and lower neuroticism (p < 0.01) than choral singers. Classical singers more often than CCM singers score low on openness (p < 0.01) and high on agreeableness (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Classical singers have lower level of openness and higher level of agreeableness than CCM singers. Neuroticism is higher among choir than solo singers and conscientiousness is higher among solo than choir singers. Amateurs had the highest level of neuroticism and the lowest level of conscientiousness as compared with professional singers and students. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(4):541-50.

The Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI)-Normative Values. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: As the dysphonia severity index (DSI) is used in clinical practice as a diagnostic tool, a thorough systematic review of the literature is required to assess the normative value of DSI. The main propose of present study was to determine the normative value of DSI among subjects whose voices were judged as normal. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. Eligibility criteria included type of publication, participant characteristics and report of outcomes. Data analysis was conducted using meta-analysis method. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were included for the final analysis. The normative value of DSI equals 3.05 with confidential range 2.13-3.98 was received for group of 1330 of healthy subjects whose voices were judged as normal, with range age 17.3-94 years. CONCLUSIONS: As DSI value is stable over subject groups and used as a diagnostic tool for adults a thorough systematic review of the literature is required to assess the normative value of DSI. Mean normative value of the DSI was found to be 3.05 with the DSI confidence levels between 2.13 and 3.98, which is lower than given previously.

Normative values for singing voice handicap index - systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are no official diagnostic protocols for singing voice assessment. In this publication, on the basis of a literature review, standards for the singing voice handicap index exclusively dedicated to voice disorders in singing have been given. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the normative values for the singing voice handicap index. METHODS: The study is a systematic review and a meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. The "inclusion" criteria were as follows: English language, original papers and human studies retrospective and prospective papers, cross-sectional and case-control studies. RESULTS: Eight articles were included for the final analysis. The normative value for the singing voice handicap index was 20.35 with a confidential range of 10.6-30.1 for a group of 729 healthy subjects whose voices were judged as normal, with an age range of 16-64 years. CONCLUSION: The mean normative value of the singing voice handicap index was 20.35 with the confidence levels between 10.6 and 30.1.

Normative Value of SVHI-10. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the normative value of SVHI-10. STUDY DESIGN: The study is a systematic review and a meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and ScienceDirect to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. Eligibility criteria included type of publication, participant characteristics, and report of outcomes. Data analysis was conducted using the meta-analysis method. RESULTS: Six articles were included for the final analysis. The normative values for the SVHI-10 for a group of 528 subjects were 8.38 with confidence levels of 7.43-9.34 (age range 16-83). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the meta-analysis the SVHI-10 can be used as a screening tool for a group of singers. In the future, it would be worthwhile to carry out a subordinate analysis to determine the SVHI-10 range for mild voice disorders or severe voice disorders in singing.

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.

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.

Normative values for singing voice handicap index - systematic review and meta-analysis / Valores normativos para o índice de desvantagem vocal no canto - revisão sistemática e metanálise

Abstract Introduction There are no official diagnostic protocols for singing voice assessment. In this publication, on the basis of a literature review, standards for the singing voice handicap index exclusively dedicated to voice disorders in singing have been given. Objective The study aims to determine the normative values for the singing voice handicap index. Methods The study is a systematic review and a meta-analysis. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed to access relevant databases and to locate outcome studies. The "inclusion" criteria were as follows: English language, original papers and human studies retrospective and prospective papers, cross-sectional and case-control studies. Results Eight articles were included for the final analysis. The normative value for the singing voice handicap index was 20.35 with a confidential range of 10.6-30.1 for a group of 729 healthy subjects whose voices were judged as normal, with an age range of 16-64 years. Conclusion The mean normative value of the singing voice handicap index was 20.35 with the confidence levels between 10.6 and 30.1.

Resumo Introdução Não há protocolos diagnósticos oficiais para avaliação de voz no canto. Neste estudo baseado em uma revisão de literatura, são fornecidos padrões para o índice de desvantagem vocal no canto exclusivamente dedicado a distúrbios vocais no canto. Objetivo Determinar os valores normativos para o índice de desvantagem vocal no canto. Método O estudo é uma revisão sistemática com metanálise. Uma busca sistemática da literatura foi feito no PubMed para acessar bancos de dados relevantes e para localizar estudos de desfecho. Os critérios de inclusão foram: estudos escritos em inglês, artigos originais e estudos em seres humanos, retrospectivos e prospectivos, estudos transversais e de caso-controle. Resultados Oito artigos foram incluídos na análise final. O valor normativo para o índice de desvantagem vocal no canto foi de 20,35 com intervalo de confiança de 10,6 a 30,1 em um grupo de 729 indivíduos saudáveis cujas vozes foram consideradas normais, de 16 a 64 anos. Conclusões O valor normativo médio do índice de desvantagem vocal no canto foi de 20,35 com intervalo de confiança entre 10,6 e 30,1.