An extended research proposal for the validation of the adapted Paediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for use as an outcome measures tool

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.