Using the Borg CR10 Physical Exertion Scale to Measure Patient-perceived Vocal Effort Pre and Post Treatment

Abstract

Reduction of vocal effort is a therapeutic goal in resonant voice therapy and in the treatment of a variety of voice disorders. The Borg CR10 is a perceived effort scale that is widely accepted across a wide variety of disciplines. The purpose of the present study was to examine (1) the utility of an anchored, adapted Borg CR10 in observing treatment-related vocal effort reduction and (2) the convergent validity of the Borg CR10 in its relation to Voice Handicap Index (VHI) item 14. This is a pretest-posttest experimental design. A total of 36 individuals with phonotraumatic hyperfunctional voice disorders completed item 14 of the VHI and the Borg CR10 at the start and completion of four sessions of resonant voice therapy treatment. Scores from the Borg CR10 significantly differentiated pre- from post-therapy perceived effort levels. Convergent validity was demonstrated through significant associations with scores from item 14 of the VHI. The anchored Borg CR10 is an easy to use clinical tool to capture treatment-related vocal effort reduction. Whereas VHI item 14 indicates how frequently increased perceived effort is experienced, the Borg CR10 captures the severity of perceived effort used. Thus, the two measures complement each other.