Table 2 Main features and findings of papers included in the scoping review on voice-related quality of life in post-laryngectomy patients
From: Voice-related quality of life after total laryngectomy: a scoping review of recent evidence
Study | Aim | Participants | Time post Laryngectomy | Main Findings | Other QoL Findings | Additional Instruments/Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wang et al. 2023 (Taiwan) [24] | Compare voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL) between PA and ES speakers using the V-RQOL questionnaire | 100 males and 4 females (79 PA, 25 ES) | 0 to over 72 months | No significant difference between PA and ES; both reported lower quality of life compared to healthy controls. Challenges in communication, social interactions, and noisy environments were noted | Â | Â |
Rodrigues et al. 2023 (Portugal) [27] | Assess the impact of different speech rehabilitation methods on QoL | 124 male patients post-laryngectomy | 48 months | Esophageal speech was less effective than other methods. Longer follow-up correlated with better vocal function | Â | Â |
Wulff et al. 2021 (Denmark & Sweden) [25] | Investigate HRQoL post-laryngectomy, including voice and swallowing issues | 147 male, 25 female patients post-laryngectomy | 19.2 to 217.2 months | Lower HRQoL compared to normative data; significant voice and swallowing issues, with depression and anxiety also prevalent | Lower scores on EORTC QLQ-C30; 16% depression, 20% anxiety | EORTC QLQ-C30 scores correlated with comorbidities, voice problems, dysphagia |
Raquel et al. 2020 (Brazil) [29] | Correlate QoL assessment tools in post-laryngectomy patients | 36 male,2 female patients divided into speakers and non-speakers | 27.6 months for one group and 14.5 months for another | Strong correlation between different QoL instruments. Any of the evaluated tools could effectively assess QoL, irrespective of esophageal voice development | Strong correlation with QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 | FACT-H&N: Significant correlations with QoL outcomes |
Mesolella et al. 2023 (Italy) [30] | Analyze the impact of phonatory function on QoL using the INFVo scale | 77 males and 12 female total laryngectomees | 24 to 36 months | No significant QoL differences among voice groups. The INFVo scale effectively classified psychoacoustic vocal characteristics | Â | INFVo scale useful for analyzing psychoacoustic characteristics |
Sluis et al. 2020 (Australia & Netherlands) [28] | Assess voice outcomes from pre- to post-laryngectomy over 12 months | 33 male and 10 female participants | 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months | Deterioration in voice quality post-surgery; most achieved successful tracheoesophageal speech. Patient’s acceptance of condition despite poor voice quality | Significant deterioration in voice quality post-surgery (VHI); AVQI showed significant worsening | EQ-5D-5L indicated improvement over time |
Vlachtsis et al. 2021 (Greece) [31] | Evaluate QoL in post-laryngectomy patients and correlate with demographic/clinical characteristics | 50 male patients | 6 to 300 months | QoL similar to other cancer patients but with more specific issues like voice and dyspnea. Better functional status in several areas compared to reference group | Comparable QoL to reference group, but voice senses and dyspnea were more problematic | Â |
Souza et al. 2020 (Brazil) [32] | Describe QoL post-laryngectomy and factors associated with reduced QoL | 86 male and 9 females patients | 5 to 89 months | Higher QoL with tracheoesophageal prosthesis; absence of vocal emission linked to lower QoL | Â | UW-QOL used to assess outcomes |
Cocuzza et al. 2020 (Italy) [26] | Assess voice-related quality of life in post-laryngectomy patients with tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) compared to esophageal voice (EV) | 54 patients (47 male, 7 female) | 9.55 to 12.85 years | TEP patients showed significantly better socio-emotional and functional outcomes in V-RQOL than EV group (p = 0.01). No significant difference in Voice Handicap Index scores (p = 0.33) | Patients with TEP prosthesis had better overall QoL scores, but frequent complications (e.g., leakage, granulomas) were linked to reduced device longevity and increased intervention needs | V-RQOL, VHI; TEP group further divided by prosthetic and fistula-related disorders with different QoL impacts |
Longobardi et al. 2021 (Italy) [34] | Examine effects of pre-operative speech-language pathology (SLP) counseling on post-TL psychological well-being and voice adaptation | 26 male, 1 female | 0 to 3 months | Pre-operative SLP counseling reduced distress, anxiety, and depression levels, enhancing adaptation to TE speech (p < 0.05) in experimental group | Patients who received counseling showed significantly lower distress, post-traumatic stress, and better acceptance of new voice in daily life | IES-R, PDI, HADS, I-SECEL; counseling group displayed greater satisfaction with post-operative information and functional changes |
Leemans et al. 2020 (Netherlands) [33] | Assess the impact of functional and participation issues on QoL post-laryngectomy | 1361 males, 263 females | 2 to 10 years | Younger patients (< 60 years) and those < 2 years post-TL reported more functional and social participation issues, leading to lower QoL scores | Pulmonary issues were highly prevalent and strongly correlated with other QoL impacts like social participation and daily activity limitations | Custom survey, assessing themes such as pulmonary, communication, esthetic issues; self-reported QoL scale (r-QoL) |