Preliminary Validation of a Multidimensional Stimulability Testing Rating Scale for Patients with Voice Disorders
- 1University of Texas at Dallas
Abstract
PurposeStimulability testing involves the evaluation of multiple aspects of a patients behavior, but the results are most frequently consolidated into a single domain (i.e., "stimulable"). The current study performs preliminary content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validation for the Multidimensional Stimulability Profile for Voice (MSP-V), a rating scale designed to measure multiple domains during stimulability testing (Degree of Change, Rapidity of Change, Generalization, Patient-rated Voice Quality, Patient-rated Voice Feel, and an overall rating of Stimulability Level).
Methods78 patients with voice disorders (24 functional, 15 structural, 39 neurological) were administered the MSP-V by five speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Content validity was evaluated via the Content Validity Index (CVI) completed by nine voice-specialized SLPs. Construct validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was assessed by determining whether MSP-V domains scaled in the expected direction compared to categorical stimulability ratings (e.g., "Highly stimulable" vs. Stimulable"). Predictive validity was assessed by examining the relationship between MSP-V domains and voice disorder diagnosis, return to voice therapy, and patient-reported practice outside of therapy.
ResultsThe CVI reached the critical value for clinician-rated and patient-rated domains. Two distinct factors were identified during EFA, one consisting of clinician-rated domains and the other of patient-rated domains. All MSP-V domains showed the expected directional relationships as categorical stimulability ratings. No domains differed significantly between disorder etiologies. The Rapidity of Change and Stimulability Level domains both significantly predicted return for voice therapy, where participants who rated lower on each domain were more likely to return to for voice therapy. No domains were predictive of patient-reported practice.
ConclusionsThe MSP-V is a clinically feasible tool with emerging content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validity that could be used to provide increased clarity and precision in stimulability testing documentation for research and practice.
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BibTeX
@misc{young2026preliminary,
title = {{Preliminary Validation of a Multidimensional Stimulability Testing Rating Scale for Patients with Voice Disorders}},
author = {E. D. Young and L. E. Toles},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.13.26365451},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.26365451v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Preliminary Validation of a Multidimensional Stimulability Testing Rating Scale for Patients with Voice Disorders
AU - E. D. Young
AU - L. E. Toles
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.13.26365451
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.26365451v1
AB - PurposeStimulability testing involves the evaluation of multiple aspects of a patients behavior, but the results are most frequently consolidated into a single domain (i.e., "stimulable"). The current study performs preliminary content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validation for the Multidimensional Stimulability Profile for Voice (MSP-V), a rating scale designed to measure multiple domains during stimulability testing (Degree of Change, Rapidity of Change, Generalization, Patient-rated Voice Quality, Patient-rated Voice Feel, and an overall rating of Stimulability Level). Methods78 patients with voice disorders (24 functional, 15 structural, 39 neurological) were administered the MSP-V by five speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Content validity was evaluated via the Content Validity Index (CVI) completed by nine voice-specialized SLPs. Construct validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was assessed by determining whether MSP-V domains scaled in the expected direction compared to categorical stimulability ratings (e.g., "Highly stimulable" vs. Stimulable"). Predictive validity was assessed by examining the relationship between MSP-V domains and voice disorder diagnosis, return to voice therapy, and patient-reported practice outside of therapy. ResultsThe CVI reached the critical value for clinician-rated and patient-rated domains. Two distinct factors were identified during EFA, one consisting of clinician-rated domains and the other of patient-rated domains. All MSP-V domains showed the expected directional relationships as categorical stimulability ratings. No domains differed significantly between disorder etiologies. The Rapidity of Change and Stimulability Level domains both significantly predicted return for voice therapy, where participants who rated lower on each domain were more likely to return to for voice therapy. No domains were predictive of patient-reported practice. ConclusionsThe MSP-V is a clinically feasible tool with emerging content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validity that could be used to provide increased clarity and precision in stimulability testing documentation for research and practice.
ER -