Perception of voice difficulties by individuals with Parkinson disease vis-à-vis their family members using Voice Handicap Index

Abstract

Introduction: Individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) experience difficulty in production of voice. Evidence also suggests a possible deficit in Parkinson's individuals' perception of their own speech loudness. Aim: This study aims to determine perception of voice difficulties in an individual with PD and obtain family members perspective of the same using Voice Handicap Index. Methodology: 31 individuals with PD and their respective family members (N=62) were asked to fill Voice Handicap Index. Scores across three areas: emotional, functional and physical were compared. Two-way (factorial) ANOVA statistical test was used. Results: 64% of the individual with PD and 70% of the family members felt that a voice difficulty exists. The results of ANOVA indicated that the score of the PD differed from family on overall mean scores on VHI. Also, the impact of a voice problem is more noticeable by the family member as compared to the individual with PD. The family members have perceived that the individual with PD has become more restricted in their personal lives and avoid speaking situations due to their voice difficulties. On the other hand, the individual with PD notice the physical strain, effort and difficulty to produce the voice. Conclusion: Planning a treatment, which focuses on all these aspects, allows the PD and family members to get a healthy perspective of the voice difficulties and improve overall quality of life. In a country like India, that still has a close family structure, involving the family and obtaining their perspective for management of individuals with PD is of significant importance.