[Analysis of reliability and validity of the Chinese version of voice handicap index (VHI)].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of voice handicap index (VHI).

METHODS

The cross-cultural adaptation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures was used to evaluate the Chinese version of VHI. Five hundred forty six dysphonic patients and 80 control subjects were included, 30 of patients and 20 of control subjects also had Hong Kong version VHI test simultaneously.

RESULTS

The internal consistency reliability of overall VHI scores and three subscale scores of the Chinese version of VHI were 0.8657-0.9517. The reliability coefficients (test to retest, 2-week interval) was 0.992 (P < 0.001). The correlation coefficient of overall VHI scores and three subscale scores and internal subscale scores were 0.643-0.904 (P < 0.01). There were no significant difference between the Chinese version and Hong Kong Chinese version (Z = 0.397, P = 0.691 ) with high dependability (r = 0.995, P < 0.001). The factor analysis of construct validity shows that the eigenvalue of 6 factors is above 1. The cumulative proportion was 77.24%. The loading was higher than 0.4 among every item. VHI total scores were significantly higher in dysphonic patients than in control subjects (Z = 17.69, P = 0.000). This is also true for all VHI subscores in the functional (Z = 14.14, P = 0.000), physical (Z = 17.68, P = 0.000) and emotional domains (Z = 15.50, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of VHI had a good reliability and validity. It can be used to evaluate dysphonic patients.