Sport in the Rehabilitation of Patients After Total Laryngectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Laryngectomy due to cancer leads to decreased physical activity of patients. Rehabilitation programs focus on the improvement of voice and swallowing but the role of rehabilitation sports for such patients is unknown.


METHODS
We interviewed all 38 patients (five women, 33 men; median age 56 years) of our patient's advocacy group. All had undergone laryngectomy because of cancer. We asked them to report their sporting activities and summarized their descriptions.


RESULTS
Overall, 12 patients were members of our swimming group and had performed aqua gymnastics and swimming training in order to stabilize or improve the muscle structures of the neck and backbone. A further four patients only took part in swimming training. The training frequency was twice per month; when patients were introduced to the program, they increased this frequency to 4-5/month. Three patients started cycling with mountain bikes covering distances of between 30 and 50 km. A further two patients were able to follow our cycling program using e-bikes. Twenty patients reported walking weekly between 10 and 16 km. All patients summarized the positive impact of sports on their personal well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
Swimming, aqua-fitness, cycling and (Nordic) walking are favourable sport disciplines for patients after laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. Special training programs should be developed and included in rehabilitation procedures for patients after multimodal therapy of laryngeal cancer.
Department of Otolaryngology, Südharz Hospital Nordhausen, Nordhausen, Germany jens.buentzel@shk-ndh.de.
Jens
J
Büntzel
Department of Palliative Care, Südharz Hospital Nordhausen, Nordhausen, Germany.
Heike
H
Büntzel
Department of Radiotherapy, Lemgo Hospital, Lemgo, Germany.
Ralph
R
Mücke
Department of Otolaryngology, Südharz Hospital Nordhausen, Nordhausen, Germany.
Antje
A
Besser
Department of Radiotherapy, Franziskus Hospital Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
Oliver
O
Micke
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013550:Swimming; D016138:Walking
Laryngeal cancer; hydrotherapy; laryngectomy; physical rehabilitation; sports; swimming