OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To examine the responsiveness of the previously validated Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) to treatment related changes in patients' singing voice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: Thirty singing patients at a tertiary voice clinic prospectively completed the Voice Handicap Index and SVHI at their initial presentation, pretreatment, and posttreatment. RESULTS: Patients had lower SVHI scores posttherapy compared with the initial SVHI scores (P <or= .001, paired t-test). The change in SVHI scores from initial to posttreatment evaluation was greater than the change from initial to pretreatment evaluation (P < .001, paired t-test). The Spearman correlation of the Voice Handicap Index difference with the SVHI difference before and after treatment was 0.71 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The SVHI measures changes in patients' singing vocal health status resulting from treatment and the change correlates with that of other validated instruments.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To examine the responsiveness of the previously validated Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI) to treatment related changes in patients' singing voice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: Thirty singing patients at a tertiary voice clinic prospectively completed the Voice Handicap Index and SVHI at their initial presentation, pretreatment, and posttreatment. RESULTS:Patients had lower SVHI scores posttherapy compared with the initial SVHI scores (P <or= .001, paired t-test). The change in SVHI scores from initial to posttreatment evaluation was greater than the change from initial to pretreatment evaluation (P < .001, paired t-test). The Spearman correlation of the Voice Handicap Index difference with the SVHI difference before and after treatment was 0.71 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The SVHI measures changes in patients' singing vocal health status resulting from treatment and the change correlates with that of other validated instruments.