Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS)
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Development of Singer Reflux Symptom Score
2.2. Subjects and Setting
2.3. Statistical Analyses
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
LPRD | Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease |
sRSS | Singer Reflux Symptom Score |
HEMII-pH | Hypopharyngeal–esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH testing |
sVHI | Singing Voice Handicap Index |
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Demographics | Patients (n = 33) |
---|---|
Mean age (SD) | 51.8 ± 17.2 |
Body mass index (mean, SD) | 27.2 ± 8.0 |
Gender (N, %) | |
Females | 17 (51.5) |
Males | 16 (48.5) |
Smoker (current Cig/d) and smoking history (Paq. Year) | 3 (9.1) |
Cannabis consumption | 1 (3.0) |
Alcohol (daily consumption) | 3 (9.1) |
Alcohol (mean and SD for unit/day in consumers) | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
Coffee/caffeine drink/day | 8 (24.2) |
Singer types | |
Soloist | 27 (81.8) |
Chorister | 6 (18.2) |
Voice range/classification | |
Females | n = 17 |
Soprano | 5 (15.2) |
Mezzo-soprano | 9 (27.3) |
Alto | 1 (3.0) |
Several ranges | 2 (6.1) |
Males | n = 16 |
Tenor | 5 (15.2) |
Baritone | 4 (12.1) |
Bass | 1 (3.0) |
Several ranges | 6 (18.2) |
Singing habits | |
Habit of performing with amplification (microphone) | 2 (6.1) |
Warm up before singing | 15 (45.5) |
Cool down after singing | 5 (15.2) |
Involvement in professional singing activities | 8 (24.2) |
Musical/Singing styles | |
Classical | 12 (36.4) |
Pop | 4 (12.1) |
Rock/pop-rock | 3 (9.1) |
Gospel | 2 (6.1) |
Jazz | 1 (3.0) |
Opera | 1 (3.0) |
Modern | 3 (9.1) |
Several styles | 7 (21.2) |
Singer Reflux Symptom Score Outcomes | Prevalence (N, %) |
---|---|
Hoarseness | 31 (93.9) |
Abnormal voice breathiness | 20 (60.6) |
Difficulty to reach high pitch/notes | 32 (97.0) |
Additional effort during singing | 31 (93.9) |
Lack of voice power | 30 (90.9) |
Vocal fatigue and lack of vocal resistance | 32 (97.0) |
Excess throat mucus during singing | 29 (87.9) |
Throat or mouth dryness during singing | 25 (75.8) |
Singer Reflux Symptom Score Outcomes | Test–Retest r | p-Value |
---|---|---|
Hoarseness | 0.647 | 0.001 |
Abnormal voice breathiness | 0.990 | 0.001 |
Difficulty to reach high pitch/notes | 0.630 | 0.001 |
Additional effort during singing | 0.679 | 0.001 |
Lack of voice power | 0.729 | 0.001 |
Vocal fatigue and lack of vocal resistance | 0.763 | 0.001 |
Excess throat mucus during singing | 0.516 | 0.001 |
Throat or mouth dryness during singing | 0.515 | 0.001 |
Singer Reflux Symptom total Score | 0.750 | 0.001 |
Baseline Evaluations | Post-Treatment (3 Months) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singer Reflux Symptom Score Outcomes | Patients | Controls | Z | p-Value | Patients | Z | p-Value |
Hoarseness | 14.9 ± 8.2 | 0.4 ± 3.0 | −8.60 | 0.001 | 4.2 ± 5.6 | −2.24 | 0.025 |
Abnormal voice breathiness | 6.8 ± 8.1 | 0.1 ± 0.5 | −6.46 | 0.001 | 1.6 ± 2.6 | −1.86 | 0.063 |
Difficulty to reach high pitch/notes | 15.9 ± 7.8 | 0.1 ± 3.3 | −8.16 | 0.001 | 7.1 ± 9.2 | −2.19 | 0.028 |
Additional effort during singing | 13.9 ± 8.3 | 0.8 ± 3.3 | −7.69 | 0.001 | 5.1 ± 7.1 | −2.24 | 0.025 |
Lack of voice power | 12.9 ± 9.2 | 0.7 ± 3.4 | −7.99 | 0.001 | 3.7 ± 5.9 | −2.52 | 0.012 |
Vocal fatigue and lack of vocal resistance | 14.4 ± 8.2 | 0.7 ± 3.4 | −8.34 | 0.001 | 5.7 ± 7.6 | −2.20 | 0.028 |
Excess throat mucus during singing | 11.4 ± 9.2 | 0.6 ± 2.7 | −8.32 | 0.001 | 3.8 ± 5.5 | −2.37 | 0.018 |
Throat or mouth dryness during singing | 6.5 ± 7.5 | 0.1 ± 0.2 | −6.72 | 0.001 | 1.5 ± 2.9 | −2.03 | 0.042 |
Total Singer Reflux Symptom Score | 96.6 ± 45.0 | 3.7 ± 11.0 | −7.87 | 0.001 | 30.1 ± 37.4 | −2.93 | 0.003 |
SRSS—Quality-of-life | 21.1 ± 10.9 | 1.4 ± 3.1 | −7.17 | 0.001 | 9.0 ± 9.4 | −2.19 | 0.028 |
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Lechien, J.R. Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS). J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15, 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080348
Lechien JR. Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS). Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2025; 15(8):348. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080348
Chicago/Turabian StyleLechien, Jérôme R. 2025. "Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS)" Journal of Personalized Medicine 15, no. 8: 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080348
APA StyleLechien, J. R. (2025). Validity and Reliability of the Singer Reflux Symptom Score (sRSS). Journal of Personalized Medicine, 15(8), 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080348