An Evaluation of Communication Apprehension in Adolescents with Velopharyngeal Inadequacy

Abstract

Objective This investigation evaluated the construct of communication apprehension (CA) in adolescents with velopharyngeal inadequacy (VPI). Design Prospective comparative study. Settings The investigation was conducted in a hospital-based clinic, voice laboratory, and the homes of participants. Participants Two groups of children participated in this study. The first group was composed of 14 children between the ages of 8 and 14 years who attended the velopharyngeal inadequacy (VPI) clinic at our institution, and the second group was composed of 14 age-matched children from the community with no history of speech or voice disorders. Interventions The study involved completion of the Measure of Elementary Communication Apprehension (MECA) by all 28 participants (14 experimental and 14 control subjects). Reliability of the subjects’ responses to the MECA was also evaluated. Outcome Measures Communication apprehension scores obtained from the MECA were the main focus of the study. Results Children with VPI experienced significantly higher levels of CA than did those in the control group. Moderate-to-good reliability of the MECA was found. Conclusions Based on these data, children with VPI may be experiencing increased levels of CA. Consequently, the experience of high CA has the potential to affect the communication performance and social functioning of children with VPI.