A basic protocol for functional assessment of voice pathology, especially for investigating the efficacy of (phonosurgical) treatments and evaluating new assessment techniques : Guideline elaborated by the Committee on Phoniatrics of the European Laryngological Society (ELS)

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Vol. 258; no. 2; pp. 77 - 82
• Main Authors: DEJONCKERE, Philippe H, BRADLEY, Patrick, CLEMENTE, Pais, CORNUT, Guy, CREVIER-BUCHMAN, Lise, FRIEDRICH, Gerhard, VAN DE HEYNING, Paul, REMACLE, Marc, WOISARD, Virginie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.02.2001
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Protocols; Europe; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Otorhinolaryngology functional investigation (larynx, voice, audiometry, vestibular function, equilibration...); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Reference Values; Speech-Language Pathology; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Voice Disorders - diagnosis; Voice Quality; Europe; Performance evaluation; Sound recording; Methodology; Self evaluation; Phonosurgery; Verbal perception; Language disorder; Nodule; Metaanalysis; Acoustic parameter; ENT disease; Dysphonia; Endoscopy; Larynx disease; Aerodynamic characteristic; Diagnosis; Human; Evaluation scale; Stroboscopy; Exploration; Vocal cord; Video recording; Laryngoscopy; Communication disorder; Treatment; Clinical investigation; Technique; Voice
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s004050000299

The proposal of this basic protocol is an attempt to reach better agreement and uniformity concerning the methodology for functional assessment of pathologic voices. The purpose is to allow relevant comparisons with the literature when presenting/publishing the results of voice treatment, e.g. a phonosurgical technique, or a new/improved instrument or procedure for investigating the pathological voice. Meta-analyses of the results of voice treatments are generally limited and may even be impossible owing to the major diversity in the ways functional outcomes are assessed. A multidimensional set of minimal basic measurements suitable for all "common" dysphonias is proposed. It includes five different approaches: perception (grade, roughness, breathiness), videostroboscopy (closure, regularity, mucosal wave and symmetry), acoustics (jitter, shimmer, Fo-range and softest intensity), aerodynamics (phonation quotient), and subjective rating by the patient. The protocol is elaborated on the basis of an exhaustive review of the literature, of the experience of the Committee members, and of plenary discussions within the European Laryngological Society. Instrumentation is kept to a minimum, but it is considered essential for professionals performing phonosurgery.