Relationship between the esophageal voice learning and anxiety and depression levels in total laryngectomees

Abstract

The loss of laryngeal voice is the main consequence suffered by total laryngectomy, so learning a new voice is the main objective of the rehabilitation of these patients. Esophageal voice is one of the possibilities for patients to recover oral communication skills in a natural way. Total laryngectomy is associated with psychological consequences such as anxiety and depression often present in cancer disease. The present research is about the potential impact of some of the characteristics of the esophageal voice on levels of anxiety and depression in these patients. The observed changes in these responses in terms of perceptions about his new voice, the changes in their learning, the importance that has meant for them and if they have impression of correct speech and with whom they communicate. We evaluated the impact of time it took them to reach a minimum level of mastery of esophageal voice necessary to maintain oral communication. The results obtained confirm the significance or predictive value of three of the variables studied: People who perceive they have learned to speak, they speak well and speak with anyone (not just family) are less depressed. In the case of anxiety are no effects. We have developed a patient profile that does not diminish their level of depression after having acquired the voice erigmofónica: Consider who has learned to speak with difficulty, and that has cost more than 6 months, but does not feel at all satisfied with their new voice, has the impression of not speaking properly, speak only with family and lost his voice was a sense of incapacity. Laryngectomy psychologically affected him deeply, familiarly, socially and occupationally (is unemployed). He feels physically affected with discomfort for the tracheostoma, difficulty in breathing and swallowing difficulties. The patient is relatively young (54 years) and is a widower.