ERIC Number: EJ1368960
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: EISSN-1460-6984
'Is There Something Wrong with Your Voice?' A Qualitative Study of the Voice Concerns of People with Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Clunie, Gemma M.; Belsi, Athina; Roe, Justin W. G.; Sandhu, Guri; McGregor, Alison; Alexander, Caroline M.
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v58 n2 p376-389 Mar-Apr 2023
Background: Acquired laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a rare condition that causes breathlessness and dyspnoea. Patients have reconstructive airway surgery to improve their breathing difficulties, but both LTS and the surgery can cause voice difficulties. The existing evidence base for management of voice difficulties for adults with LTS focuses on symptoms. There is limited information to provide clinical guidance for speech and language therapists (SLTs) and a limited understanding of the impact of voice changes on adults with LTS. Aim: To investigate the lived experience of adults with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), who have had reconstructive surgery; here focussing on voice concerns with the aim of guiding clinical care for SLTs. Methods and Procedures: A phenomenological, qualitative study design was used. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were completed with adults living with LTS who had had reconstructive surgery. Audio recordings were transcribed and inductive thematic analysis was used by the research team to identify themes and sub-themes. Outcomes and Results: A total of 24 participants (five focus groups and two interviews) took part in the study before thematic saturation was identified in analysis. Three main themes were identified specific to the experience of living with LTS: the Medical, Physical and Emotional journey. All participants referenced voice difficulties as they related to each of these overall themes. Sub-themes directly related to voice included experience of surgery, information provision, staff expertise/complacency, symptoms, symptom management, identity, support networks, impact on life and living with a chronic condition. Conclusions and Implications: In this qualitative study participants have described the integral part voice difficulties play in their lived experience of LTS and reconstructive surgery. This is considered in the context of their clinical care and the need for individualised management and information provision throughout the course of their condition. The broader research literature relating to voice difficulties is explored with links made to people with LTS and recommendations made for future research into people living with LTS and dysphonia.
Descriptors: Voice Disorders, Surgery, Adults, Speech Language Pathology, Barriers, Experience, Needs, Coping
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A