An extended research proposal for the validation of the adapted Paediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for use as an outcome measures tool
Citation
(2016) An extended research proposal for the validation of the adapted
Paediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for use as
an outcome measures tool, no. 86.
Abstract
The multidimensional assessment of voice disorder in adults includes the client's
subjective evaluation of the dysphonia's impact on their daily life. Multiple
instruments have been developed to assess voice-related quality of life in adult
clients. In the paediatric voice disorder population, voice-related quality of life is
typically evaluated using parent proxy questionnaires derived from adult measures.
Recent studies have shown children's ability to express their own thoughts and
concerns regarding their voice disorder and how their perception of the dysphonia's
impact on their life can differ from the perception of their parents. Cohen and
McGregor Wynne (2015) adapted the existing parent proxy Paediatric Voice-Related
Quality of Life Questionnaire (PVRQoL) into a version for the direct administration to
children. Their study found that the use of the parent proxy questionnaire alongside
the adapted child-direct questionnaire provided the clinician with two unique and valid
perceptions on the child's dysphonia.
This research proposal presents a project to expand upon the results of Cohen and
McGregor Wynne (2015) by examining if the parallel use of the parent proxy
PVRQoL and adapted PVRQoL for children contribute to treatment outcome
measures and provide clinically useful information by evaluating their responsiveness
to change after voice therapy and their relationship to a clinician-based assessment
of vocal severity. Expected results from the proposed study will contribute to the
evidence base supporting the use of the child-direct subjective evaluation of vocal
impact in the assessment of paediatric dysphonia. Results will also provide evidence
for the utility of the parallel parent and child PVRQoL questionnaires to measure
therapy outcomes and their ability to provide independent and clinically valid
information. This study will benefit the wider paediatric voice disorder community by
increasing children's contributions to the evaluation process and the development of
more child-centred approaches to intervention.