title: Reliability and validity of the Italian self-evaluation of communication experiences after laryngeal cancer questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer (SECEL) questionnaire assesses the impact of total laryngectomy on communication-related quality of life (QOL). This study evaluates the Italian version of the SECEL (I-SECEL), including reliability, concurrent validity, and differences in scores between patients who undergo either total laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients who underwent either total laryngectomy or partial laryngectomy completed the I-SECEL twice and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires once. Voice recordings were used for objective and perceptual assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The I-SECEL demonstrated good test-retest reliability and internal consistency for 2 of 3 subscales. Correlations were moderate to strong between most of the I-SECEL scales and the VHI/SF-36 scales. The I-SECEL scales demonstrated moderate associations with most perceptual and objective measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary evidence supports the convergent validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the I-SECEL, notwithstanding low internal consistency and test-retest reliability for 1 subscale.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mozzanica
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brignoli
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maruzzi
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evitts
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ottaviani
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires