Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Hong Kong-Chinese Version of Children's Voice Handicap Index

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and validate a Hong Kong Chinese version of the Children's Voice Handicap Index (CVHI-10(HK)) and to examine its psychometric properties as a measure of quality of life in dysphonic children.

Method: The English version of Children's Voice Handicap Index-10 was translated and adapted to Hong Kong Chinese. Content validity was obtained from ratings of an expert panel and other psychometric properties were measured from CVHI-10(HK) questionnaires completed by 63 children (Dysphonic group: n = 28, vocally-healthy Control group: n = 35) aged between eight to 14 years.

Results: CVHI-10(HK) showed good psychometric properties. Internal consistency measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.787. It also showed excellent content validity (scale-level content validity indices ≥ 0.90) and good construct validity (between group difference in total CVHI-10(HK) score: t (33.62) = 4.393, P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.157). Analysis on criterion validity revealed a significant and moderate correlation between the total CVHI-10(HK) score and auditory-perceptual ratings on overall severity (Pearson's r = 0.505, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed an excellent intrinsic accuracy in discriminating the two groups of children (area under the curve = 0.808) and suggested a cutoff score of three would give the optimal sensitivity and specificity combination of the questionnaire.

Conclusion: CVHI-10(HK) is a valid and sensitive tool that measures quality of life in dysphonic children. It is the first self-administered questionnaire that is available to the paediatric dysphonic population in Hong Kong. It may also be used as a screening tool to identify dysphonic children and those who are at risk of voice problems in the local context.

Keywords: Children's Voice Handicap Index (CVHI); Children's quality of life; Pediatric dysphonia; Voice Handicap Index (VHI); Voice disorders.