First report on the reliability and validity of speech handicap index in ...

easily complete it while waiting for their turn to come in the outpatient department. The
results can be quickly calculated and documented in the patient records and if any speech
impairment is found, it can be addressed - possibly at the same visit. Patients can also be
given feedback on their speech rehabilitative efforts in a temporal manner which will
help them to intensify, continue or decrease their efforts in order to get better speech. We
think this tool will be an effective adjunct in the rehabilitation of head-neck cancer
patients.
Conclusion:
In this study the SHI proved to be a valid and reliable tool for outcome assessment of
speech problems in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. It is a precise, reliable and
validated speech questionnaire which can be used in outpatient clinics to assess the nature
and severity of a patient’s complaints. Since it is a new tool, further studies are required
to establish its usefulness in assessing speech impairment in head-neck cancer patients.
Conflict of interest
None to declare.
Appendix:
Speech Handicap Index (SHI) English version (for clinical research and patient use).
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