A basic protocol for functional assessment of voice pathology, especially for investigating the efficacy of (phonosurgical) treatments and evaluatingnew assessment techniques - Guideline elaborated by the Committee on Phoniatrics of the European Laryngological Society (ELS)

The proposal of this basic protocol is an attempt to reach better agreement and uniformity concerning the methodology for functional assessment of pat hologic voices. The purpose is to allow relevant comparisons with the liter ature when presenting / publishing the results of voice treatment, e.g. a p honosurgical technique, or a new / improved instrument: or procedure for in vestigating the pathological voice, Meta-analyses of the results of voice t reatments are generally limited and may even be impossible owing to the maj or diversity in the ways functional outcomes are assessed. A multidimension al set of minimal basic measurements suitable for all "common" dysphonias i s preposed. It includes five different approaches: perception (grade, rough ness, breathiness), videostroboscopy (closure, regularity, mucosal wave and symmetry), acoustics (jitter, shimmer, Fo-range and softest intensity), ae rodynamics (phonation quotient), and subjective rating by the patient. The protocol is elaborated on the basis of an exhaustive review of the literatu re, of the experience of the Committee members, and of plenary discussions within the European Laryngological Society. Instrumentation is kept to a mi nimum, but it is considered essential for professionals performing phonosur gery.