title: Effects of voice rehabilitation after radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to investigate the effects of voice rehabilitation on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and voice function in patients treated for laryngeal cancer six months post-rehabilitation completion. A secondary aim was to identify factors that predict significant communication improvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal follow-up of randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 33 patients received voice rehabilitation post-radiotherapy and 32 patients constituted the control group. Outcome measures included patient-reported HRQL, communication and voice function (acoustic measures and perceptual analysis). Outcome measures were analysed one (baseline), six and 12 months post-radiotherapy, where voice rehabilitation was conducted between the first two time-points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients improved after voice rehabilitation with regard to communication function and HRQL and remained unchanged after 12 months post-radiotherapy. A significant roughness deterioration in the control group occurred between six and 12 months post-radiotherapy, yet remained unchanged in the intervention group. A factors increasing odds of significant communication improvement 12 months post-radiotherapy was voice rehabilitation. Smoking affected communication negatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Voice rehabilitation appears to have positive effect on voice function and HRQL, which persist up to 12 months of follow-up and appears to prevent deterioration of perceived roughness. Patients who experience voice and communication problems at baseline are most likely to benefit from voice rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery , Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery , Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuomi
authors.affiliation: b Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Multidisciplinary Pain Center , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Paulin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andréll
authors.affiliation: c Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences , Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery , Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Finizia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Laryngeal neoplasm; quality of life; radiotherapy; voice therapy