Voice-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (V-RQOL): a systematic review of cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation

Abstract Background The Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire is one of the widely used patient-reported outcome measures for evaluating the impact of voice disorders. Numerous translated versions exist; however, no comprehensive review has synthesized their cross-cultural adaptation procedures and psychometric properties. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the methodological rigor and psychometric quality of translated V-RQOL versions across languages, using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Method Articles were systematically extracted from the literature review using search engines, including EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed. The authors extracted the articles to find English studies published between 1999 and 2025. After conducting the screening, we included the paper that met the eligibility criteria for the study. The researchers of the current study employed the CASP to assess the methodology of the papers. The review included versions of V-RQOL that were translated, adapted, and validated for linguistic or cultural variations. Results A total of 2346 records were found; after removing duplicates, 1408 remained. Fifteen full texts were reviewed, and 14 met the inclusion criteria. All used systematic translation, cultural adaptation, pilot testing, and psychometric evaluation. The CASP appraisal showed clear aims and suitable methods, but insufficient details on translation panels and sampling. Reliability was strong, though construct validity approaches differed. Some versions lacked methodological rigor. The Azerbaijani-Turkish version showed excellent reliability and consistency, matching other validated forms. Conclusions This systematic review highlights that cross-cultural adaptations of the V-RQOL consistently demonstrate strong reliability and validity across diverse languages. CASP appraisal confirmed methodological rigor in most studies, though variability in pilot testing and reporting remains. The V-RQOL is a robust tool for assessing voice-related quality of life globally. Future adaptations should follow standardized guidelines and incorporate CASP-based evaluations to ensure cultural relevance and methodological transparency.