Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 Minimal Clinically Important Difference: A Prospective Determination

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Singing Voice Research

Background:

• The Singing Voice Handicap Index-10 (SVHI-10) is a patient-reported outcome measure for singers' voice handicap.
• A score of 20 or higher on the SVHI-10 indicates an abnormal singing voice.
• A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the SVHI-10 has not been previously defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the SVHI-10.
• To establish a threshold for clinically meaningful change in singing voice handicap.

Main Methods:

• 103 adult singers completed the SVHI-10 twice, 30 days apart.
• Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the MCID.
• Data included singer demographics, voice complaints, and singing genres.

Main Results:

• The study included 103 singers (22 male, 75 female, 6 nonbinary).
• The determined MCID for the SVHI-10 was 9.5.
• SVHI-10 scores were higher in singers reporting voice changes or seeking treatment and varied by singing genre.

Conclusions:

• A change of 10 points or more in SVHI-10 scores should be considered clinically meaningful.
• This finding will enhance the understanding of treatment responses in singers.
• The established MCID will aid in clinical care and research outcome tracking.