Integrated rehabilitation after total laryngectomy: a pilot trial study.

BACKGROUND: Acquisition and acceptance of the alaryngeal voice, psychological state, and Quality of Life (QoL) of laryngectomized patients.

METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent total laryngectomy were included in the study; 17 of them were treated by a psychologist and a speech therapist (experimental group); 15 performed only speech therapy (control group).

RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant improvement in all parameters of the INFVo scale, in the score of the Environment subscale and in the total score of the I-SECEL (Self-Evaluation of Communication Experiences after Laryngeal Cancer); in the Depression, Obsession-Compulsion and Paranoia areas of the SCL-90-R (Symptom Check List-90-Revised); and in the Social area (REL) of the WHOQOL-B (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief).

CONCLUSIONS: An integrated rehabilitative approach to laryngectomized patients improves emotional state and psychosocial aspects and promotes acceptance and use of the new voice and recovery of a better quality of life.