Analysis of Voice Handicap Index Results in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with vocal impairments that significantly impact communication and quality of life. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is a widely used instrument for assessing individuals’ subjective perception of the impact of voice disorders. This study aimed to analyze differences in VHI-10 scores between individuals with PD and a control group without neurological disorders, as well as to explore the potential influence of gender, disease severity, and time since diagnosis on perceived vocal impact. An observational study was conducted including 111 individuals with PD (71 men and 40 women) and a control group of 107 healthy people (47 men and 70 women). The VHI-10 was administered to all participants. The results revealed statistically significant differences across most VHI-10 variables, with higher scores observed in the PD group. Additionally, disease severity and time since diagnosis were associated with a progressive increase in perceived vocal impact. People with Parkinson's disease reported a greater perceived impact of vocal impairments compared to the control group, a perception that appears to increase with disease progression and assessment duration. The VHI-10 appears to be a useful tool for capturing self-perceived vocal impact in this population.