Translated Versions of Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30 across Languages: A Systematic Review

Background: In this systematic review, the aim is to investigate different VHI-30 versions between languages regard-ing their validity, reliability and their translation process. Methods: Articles were extracted systematically from some of the prime databases including Cochrane, googlescholar, MEDLINE (via PubMed gate), Sciencedirect, Web of science, and their reference lists by Voice Handicap Index key-word with only title limitation and time of publication (from 1997 to 2014). However the other limitations (e.g. exclud-ing non-English, other versions of VHI ones, and so on) applied manually after studying the papers. In order to ap-praise the methodology of the papers, three authors did it by 12-item diagnostic test checklist in "Critical Appraisal Skills Programme" or (CASP) site. After applying all of the screenings, the papers that had the study eligibility criteria such as; translation, validity, and reliability processes, included in this review. Results: The remained non-repeated articles were 12 from different languages. All of them reported validity, reliability and translation method, which presented in details in this review. Conclusion: Mainly the preferred method for translation in the gathered papers was " Brislin‘s classic back-translation model (1970), although the procedure was not performed completely but it was more prominent than other translation procedures. High test-retest reliability, internal consistency and moderate construct validity between different lan-guages in regards to all 3 VHI-30 domains confirm the applicability of translated VHI-30 version across languages.