Influence of Self-generated Anchors on the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10)

Objective The aim of this research is to study whether the presentation of the Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaire administered at the beginning of the treatment impinged on the results of the responses from the end of the treatment. Methods The questionnaire was administered at the beginning of the treatment to a total of 308 patients. After the treatment, a group of 235 patients answered the questionnaire again without any reference to their responses on the initial administration. The other group of participants, consisting of 73 subjects, completed the questionnaire with the answer sheet of their initial self-assessment in sight. Results The data obtained show that patients who responded to the anchored answer test show less dispersion and a smaller coefficient of variation (0.90) than those who responded to the nonanchored answer test (coefficient of variation = 1.66). Conclusions The method of administration of the Voice Handicap Index-10 at the end of a treatment influences the dispersion of the results. We recommend that the patient be anchored to the initial answer sheet while responding to the final self-assessment.