Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Vocal Fatigue Index

Seher Şirin, Mehmet Fatih Öğüt, Cem Bilgen, Seher Şirin, Mehmet Fatih Öğüt, Cem Bilgen

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI).

Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 535 participants including 285 patients with voice disorders and 250 healthy controls. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated for the reliability analysis. The mean VFI factor scores of both groups were compared. The strength and direction of the relation between VFI and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) measure was evaluated for the validity analysis.

Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of VFI factor scores was found to be 0.920 for tiredness and avoidance of voice use, 0.879 for physical discomfort with voice use, and 0.882 for improvement of symptoms with voice rest. The test-retest reliability revealed 0.877 for the tiredness and avoidance of voice use, 0.913 for the physical discomfort with voice use, and 0.820 for the improvement of symptoms with voice rest. When compared with healthy individuals, VFI factor scores were statistically significant higher in patients with voice disorders. The V-RQOL scores decreased significantly as the VFI scores increased.

Conclusion: The Turkish version of the VFI is a good reliable and valid instrument for evaluating vocal fatigue symptoms in the Turkish-speaking community.

Keywords: Voice; quality of life; reliability; validity; vocal fatigue.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Figures

Figure
Figure
ROC curve analysis for the three factor scores of Turkish VFI to discriminate individuals with and without voice fatigue. ROC: Receiver operating characteristics; VFI: Vocal Fatigue Index

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