Interrater reliability in the application of the VPAS-PB: analysis among experienced judges

Vieira, Renata Christina

doi:10.1590/2317-1782/e20250169pt

Tabla de contenido Anterior Actual Siguiente

Tabla de contenido

Brief Communication • CoDAS 38 (3) • 2026 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/e20250169en linkcopy

Interrater reliability in the application of the VPAS-PB: analysis among experienced judges

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Purpose This study analyzes the interrater reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Vocal Profile Analysis Scheme (VPAS-PB) applied by experienced judges.

Methods Ten adult participants with no vocal or hearing complaints produced a standard sentence and two personal stories, which were recorded and later evaluated independently by three speech-language-hearing pathologists trained in phonetics and experienced with the protocol. Interrater reliability was estimated using internal consistency analysis (Cronbach’s Alpha).

Results Analysis with Cronbach’s alpha indicated good to excellent internal consistency for most vocal settings, with lower agreement for “lip spreading” and “falsetto.”

Conclusion This study demonstrates that the VPAS-PB has high interrater reliability and excellent internal consistency across most vocal settings, reinforcing its applicability in the Brazilian Portuguese context.

Keywords:
Voice; Voice Quality; Speech Perception; Auditory Perception; Phonetics

Vocal Adjustment	Cronbach’s Alpha (α)	Significance (p)	Reliability Status
Lip rounding	0.667	0.023	Satisfactory
Lip stretching	0.585	0.053	Unsatisfactory
Labiodentalization	1.000	< 0.001	High
Reduced lip extension	0.892	< 0.001	High
Increased lip extension	0.893	< 0.001	High
Closed jaw	1.000	< 0.001	High
Open jaw	0.956	< 0.001	High
Reduced jaw extension	0.914	< 0.001	High
Increased jaw extension	0.881	< 0.001	High
Advanced tongue tip	0.901	< 0.001	High
Retracted tongue tip	0.750	0.006	High
Advanced tongue body	0.869	< 0.001	High
Retracted tongue body	0.654	0.026	Satisfactory
Elevated tongue body	0.843	< 0.001	High
Lowered tongue body	0.903	< 0.001	High
Reduced tongue body extension	0.686	0.018	Satisfactory
Pharyngeal constriction	0.747	0.006	High
Pharyngeal expansion	0.960	< 0.001	High
Audible nasal escape	1.000	< 0.001	High
Nasalization	1.000	< 0.001	High
Denasalization	1.000	< 0.001	High
Elevated larynx	0.853	< 0.001	High
Lowered larynx	0.780	0.003	High
Tract hyperfunction	0.862	< 0.001	High
Tract hypofunction	1.000	< 0.001	High
Laryngeal hyperfunction	0.956	< 0.001	High
Falsetto	0.585	0.053	Unsatisfactory
Crepitation	1.000	< 0.001	High
Crepitating voice	0.852	< 0.001	High
Air escape	1.000	0.001	High
Breathy voice	0.667	0.023	Satisfactory
Raspy voice	0.932	< 0.001	High
Elevated usual pitch	0.821	0.001	High
Lowered usual pitch	1.000	< 0.001	High
Reduced pitch extension	0.750	0.006	High
Reduced pitch variability	0.646	0.029	Satisfactory
Increased pitch variability	1.000	< 0.001	High
Increased usual loudness	1.000	< 0.001	High
Reduced usual loudness	0.926	< 0.001	High
Increased loudness extension	1.000	< 0.001	High
Reduced loudness extension	1.000	< 0.001	High
Increased loudness variability	1.000	0.001	High
Reduced loudness variability	1.000	< 0.001	High
Interrupted continuity	1.000	< 0.001	High
Rapid speech rate	0.892	< 0.001	High
Slow speech rate	1.000	< 0.001	High
Adequate respiratory support	1.000	< 0.001	High
Inadequate respiratory support	1.000	< 0.001	High

location_on

Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia Al. Jaú, 684, 7º andar, 01420-002 São Paulo - SP Brasil, Tel./Fax 55 11 - 3873-4211 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@codas.org.br

rss_feed Acompañe los números de esta revista en su lector de RSS

[1] Caption: α = Cronbach’s alpha. Statistical test used: internal consistency analysis