Applicability of the Polish Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale in the diagnostics of occupational dysphonia

Abstract

Occupational dysphonia is mainly of hyperfunctional origin, expressed by complaints experienced in the vocal tract. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the applicability of the Polish Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale in the diagnostics of occupational dysphonia. Patients with occupational dysphonia (n = 218) and controls (n = 140) were subjected to the VTD scale, VHI evaluation, and maximum phonation time (MPT) measurement. The patients also underwent videostroboscopy. The comparison of the frequency and severity of VTD symptoms showed that the results of the study group were significantly higher (P = 0.000). The VTD scale is characterized by high values of Cronbach's alpha. This study results indicatethat the VTD scale can be a valuable tool, useful in the diagnostics of occupational dysphonia.

Key words::

• Muscle tension dysphonia
• occupational voice disorders
• vocal tract discomfort scale

Declaration of interest: The study results were presented at the 9th Pan-European Voice Conference, Marseille, France, 31 August–3 September 2011. This study was supported by the project of the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research, Project No 18.6/10. The authors report no conflicts of interest.