Quality of life of patients after total laryngectomy – sf-36

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients after total laryngectomy and to determine the influence of a vocal rehabilitation on the improvement of the quality of life of these patients. Methods. The study included 45 patients, 25 patients were in the experimental group and 20 patients were in the control group. The experimental group consisted of male respondents after total laryngectomy who mastered esophageal speech, aged 54 to 72 years. A subjective assessment of voice was conducted, using the SF-36 questionnaire which is valid and culturally adapted version of the Serbian language, consisting of 36 questions, which measures functioning in the following areas: functional ability, physical ability, emotional capacity, vitality, mental health, social functioning, pain and general health. Results. SF-36 has shown that patients after vocal rehabilitation have higher scores on all subtests. Using the t test for large independent samples, a statistically significant difference has been found between the experimental group at the beginning of the measurement and control group on all subtests. Statistical significance is at the 0.01 level. The mean value (M) is lower in the experimental group at the beginning of measurement than the control group. In contrast to this result, there is no statistically significant difference between the experimental group at the end of the measurement and control group. Conclusion. Vocal rehabilitation was significant in patients after total laryngectomy; in addition to mastering some of the methods of speech, these patients were able to overcome the feeling of shame because of their physical appearance after the operation and to strengthen their self-confidence.