Self-perceived affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions associated with voice use in people with Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to compare the affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions related to vocal function in people with Parkinson’s disease (PWPD) and healthy controls using the Behavior Assessment Battery – Voice (BAB-Voice). The test’s internal consistency was also described. Methods 31 PWPD and 19 healthy controls were recruited from September 2020 to March 2021. Participants completed four BAB-Voice subtests: Speech Situation Checklist – Emotional Reaction (SSC-ER), the Speech Situation Checklist – Speech Disruption (SSC-SD), Behavior Checklist (BCL), and Communication Attitude Test for Adults (BigCAT), describing the experienced negative emotional reaction, voice disruptions, coping behaviors, and negative attitude regarding communication respectively. Subtest scores were calculated and analyzed. Results The scores of the PWPD were significantly different from those of the controls (Pillai’s Trace = 0.344, F[4] = 5.508, p = .001, ηp 2 = .344): PWPD showed more negative emotions and voice problems, more coping behaviors, and more negative speech-related attitude compared to healthy controls. All subtests showed excellent internal consistency. Conclusions The BAB-Voice proved a tool with a good internal consistency that measured different psychosocial reactions in PWPD versus controls. PWPD exhibited significantly more negative emotions and voice problems in specific speech situations, more coping behaviors, and a more negative speech-related attitude. The specificity of information obtained from the BAB-Voice may aid in improving the treatment planning of voice disorders in PWPD.