Adaptation and Validation of the Lithuanian Version of the Pediatric Voice Handicap Index.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop the Lithuanian version of the Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) and to assess its psychometric characteristics.

Methods: The Lithuanian version of the pVHI was prepared according to the standard requirements for the questionnaire translation and adaptation procedure. It also included forward and backward translations of the original questionnaire, as well as a committee review and psychometric testing of the final version of the pVHI. A total of 126 children between 4 and 13 years of age were included in the study. Two study groups were formed: a group consisting of children with dysphonia (n = 70) and a control group of children without any alterations in their voice (n = 56). The questionnaire was always completed by their parents. The results were statistically analysed to assess the reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity of the Lithuanian version of the pVHI.

Results: High internal consistency of the Lithuanian version of the pVHI was determined (Cronbach's α = 0.938). The test-retest analysis also showed a high correlation between the two tests (r = 0.949) for both the dysphonic and control groups. The mean overall pVHI score was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the dysphonic group than in the control group: 26.16 ± 11.84 and 2.43 ± 2.61, respectively. Similar results were obtained for all domains of pVHI. The most sensitive and specific limiting value for discrimination between the clinical and control groups was the sum of 8 points.

Conclusions: The Lithuanian version of the pVHI is a reliable and valid instrument for the evaluation of the Voice Handicap Index in the pediatric population and can be easily applied in daily clinical practice.