Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire.

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was conducted to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and perform psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (P-LHQ).

Methods: The study was conducted in two stages: translation and cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric evaluation of the P-LHQ. The first stage included five phases: forward translation, synthesis of the forward translations, backward translation, expert panel review, and pretesting of the P-LHQ on 10 participants. Stage two included determination of convergent validity, internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness to change of the P-LHQ. Sixty-five participants with laryngeal hypersensitivity syndromes, including muscle tension dysphonia, chronic refractory cough, and globus pharyngeus, completed the P-LHQ.

Results: The first stage of the study resulted in a questionnaire named as the Persian Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (P-LHQ). Convergent validity was confirmed via a significant negative correlation with the Cough Severity Index (r = -0.688, P < 0.001). The P-LHQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.827) and excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.92), with item-level ICCs ranging from 0.78-0.96. The instrument showed responsiveness to clinical improvement following a voice therapy program in patients with muscle tension dysphonia.

Conclusion: The P-LHQ is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing laryngeal hypersensitivity symptoms in Persian-speaking populations. Its psychometric robustness and sensitivity to therapeutic change support its application in clinical evaluation and longitudinal research.