Descriptive Analysis of the Applicability of a Self-report Questionnaire for the Vocal Corporal Schema Assessment

Abstract

Abstract: 

The vocal corporal schema (VCS) concept refers to the subjective and conscious appreciation of the inner sensations that the phonatory act raises. Previous findings suggest that a proper VCS development propitiate euhony. Its clinical utility has also been described since it favors the comprehension, analysis and control of phonation. Given the absence of VCS assessment tools, a self-report questionnaire was designed in Argentina to inquire the VCS perceptions resulting from vocal exercises with diagnostic utility.

With the aim of analyze the applicability of a self-report questionnaire to assess the VCS (CAECV) in adults from Córdoba during 2018-2019, a descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. 30 women and 20 men from 18 to 50 years-old (31,58±9,36 years) with (n=13) and without (n=37) vocal training answered the CAECV after giving informed consent. To estimate the applicability, the application time (minutes) was registered and the degree of interest and difficulty were asked (Likert-5 scale). Age, gender and vocal training experiences data were gathered.  Summary measures and frequencies were calculated using Stata-15.

Application time was 15,1±6.02 minutes; the minimum was 8 minutes and the maximum, 38. Most of the participants considered the CAECV to be interesting (36%) or very interesting (28%). No one reported “not interesting”. 32% of the participants said that answering the CAECV was “very easy” and the 40% said it was “easy”.

Knowing a person’s perception of her VCS is useful for voice training, diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. The CAECV proved to be a quick and attractive tool. Future works should adapt and validate the questionnaire in different samples and inform its psychometric properties.