Test-Retest Reliability of the Dual-Microphone Voice Range Profile

Publication date: Available online 16 May 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Trine Printz, Jesper Roed Sorensen, Christian Godballe, Ågot Møller Grøntved
ObjectivesThe voice range profile (VRP) measures vocal intensity and fundamental frequency. Phonosurgical and logopedic treatment outcome studies using the VRP report voice improvements of 3–6 semitones (ST) in ST range and 4–7 decibels (dB) in sound pressure level range after treatment. These small improvements stress the importance of reliable measurements. The aim was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the dual-microphone computerized VRP on participants with healthy voices.Study DesignThis is a prospective test-retest reliability study.MethodsDual-microphone VRPs were repeated twice on healthy participants (n = 37) with an interval of 6–37 days. Voice frequency and intensity (minimum, maximum, and ranges) were assessed in combination with the area of the VRP.ResultsCorrelations between VRP parameters were high (r > 0.60). However, in the retest, a statistically significant increase in voice frequency range (1.4 ST [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.8–2.1 ST], P < 0.001), intensity ranges (2.2 dB [95% CI: 1.0–3.4 dB], P < 0.001), maximum frequency (1.0 ST [95% CI: 0.5–1.6 ST], P < 0.001), maximum intensity (1.4 dB [95% CI: 0.5–2.3 dB], P = 0.002), and area inside the VRP (148 cells [95% CI: 87–210 cells], P < 0.001) was observed.ConclusionThe intra-examiner variation of the dual-microphone VRP is well below the differences seen after surgical or logopedic intervention, even when measuring in non-sound-treated rooms. There is a need for studies regarding inter-examiner reliability with a longer interval between test and retest before the assessment is fully reliable for clinical application.



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