ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Purpose To address the need for a standardized assessment tool for assessing cognitive-communication abilities among Indian preschoolers, the current study aimed at describing a Delphi based development and validation process for developing one such tool. The objectives of the research were to conceptualize and construct the tool, validate its content, and assess its feasibility through pilot testing. Methods The study followed a Delphi approach to develop and validate the tool across four phases i.e. conceptualization; construction; content validation; and pilot testing. The first three phases were performed with a panel of six experts including speech-language pathologists and preschool teachers while the pilot testing was done with 20 typically developing preschoolers. A literature review was also conducted with the Delphi rounds to support the developmental process. Results The first two rounds of the Delphi aided in the construction of a culturally and linguistically suitable story-based cognitive-communication assessment tool with the memory (free recall, recognition, and literary recall) and executive function (reasoning, inhibition, and switching) related tasks relevant for preschoolers. The content validation of the tool was continued with the experts till the revisions were satisfactory and yielded an optimum Content Validity Index. The pilot test of the finalized version confirmed its feasibility and appropriateness to assess developmental changes in the cognitive-communication abilities of preschoolers. Conclusion The study describes the Delphi-based conceptualization, construction, content validation, and feasibility check of a tool to assess cognitive-communication skills in preschool children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Treatment for cancer using chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy are age old treatment procedures which are found to be efficient in eradicating cancerous cells thereby improving overall quality of life of the individual. Though they seem to improve the disease condition, they adversely affect different bodily systems and functions. One such effect is noted in literatures on regard of voice acoustics. Knowledge in voice acoustics in these participants would adequately provide management options before and after treatment. In our study we aim to estimate extend of voice changes in participants undergoing radiation therapy for non-laryngeal head and neck cancer. Methods: Multidimensional voice profile (MDVP) was used to assess voice parameters on three time basis such as pre-treatment, immediate post treatment and one month after post treatment. Results: Significant difference was seen between all the three time points namely; pre-treatment, post treatment and one month after post treatment were observed. Conclusion: The study revealed that, radiation therapy significantly affects the voice parameters in the same way as it affects other parts of the body. Though these effects seem to be of higher significance, during and immediate treatment; the recovery on late post treatment is satisfactory.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Chronic hemodialysis affects various body systems, one of which is the respiratory system. Since respiration is the prime source for speech, vocal dysfunctions are expected to be present in patients with chronic hemodialysis. The present study attempts to shed light on the changes in acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics of voice, if any, in patients with chronic hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: Phonation of sustained vowel/a/sample was subjected to acoustic analysis using VAGHMI software. Sustained duration of/a/,/s/, and/z/ was recorded for the purpose of aerodynamic analysis. The independent t test was employed to find the significant difference between the two groups. Results: Chronic hemodialyzed subjects showed significant deviation in frequency, perturbation, and aerodynamic measures when compared to normal subjects. These results are discussed with respect to the underlying pathophysiology. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that subjects with chronic hemodialysis exhibit clinical evidence of voice disorders. Vocal deviations in chronic hemodialyzed subjects are explained due to the influence of the renal system on the respiratory and the phonatory system and the negative fluid balance effect of hemodialysis.