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Efficacy for speech and language therapy for dysphonia
Author(s) -
GORDON MARGARET,
LOCKHART MYRA
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-6984.1995.tb01657.x
Subject(s) - psychology , voice therapy , grading (engineering) , reliability (semiconductor) , audiology , perception , medicine , power (physics) , civil engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , engineering
In order to establish efficacy of any type of intervention for a functional disorder, it is necessary to evaluate the function before and after treatment and to have confidence in the measurements used. Vocal function has many parameters which require the employment of different tests for reliable assessment. The validity of these tests needs to be established by systematic literature review and, where possible, formal meta‐analysis. The US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (US‐AHCPR) has recommended a method of grading evidence for use in the development of guidelines (AHCPR, 1992) and a similar method could be employed to evaluate the reliability of vocal function tests. Hirano (1989) presented the results of a survey carried out to identify the type, nature, aim and frequency of use of clinical voice evaluation procedures and also reviewed the results of the procedures used in his own department in Kurume, and their reliability in measuring parameters of vocal function. Hirano (1989) made suggestions and recommendations for useful measurements, including perceptual evaluation, visual inspection, tape‐recording, stroboscopy, Fo measurements, sound pressure, level measurement, aerodynamic tests and acoustic tests. A standard, using the GRBAS scale, has been suggested by the IALP Voice Committee for perceptual evaluations, but no standards have yet been agreed for the remaining tests. This paper looks at some of the evidence for assessment standard setting and at reported efficacy studies which have used these assessments for monitoring outcomes.