Reliability and validity of the Italian self-evaluation of communication experiences after laryngeal cancer questionnaire

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. Conclusion 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.