ERIC Number: EJ1458738
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jan
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: EISSN-1460-6984
Available Date: N/A
Swallowing, Speech and Voice Impairments in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated at a Multidisciplinary Integrated Patient Unit
Osnat Kandelshine-Waldman; Omer Levy-Kardash; Anat Hamburger; Eran Alon; Yael Henkin
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v60 n1 e13145 2025
Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is amongst the 10 most common cancers worldwide and has a major effect on patients' quality of life. Given the complexity of this unique group of patients, a multidisciplinary team approach is preferable. Amongst the debilitating sequels of HNC and/or its treatment, swallowing, speech and voice impairments are prevalent and require the involvement of speech--language pathologists (SLPs). In 2018, an integrated patient unit (IPU) for HNC patients was established which includes healthcare professionals from diverse fields including SLPs. Aims: To characterize the demographic and clinical profiles of HNC patients and assess SLP therapy efficacy in these patients with respect to swallowing, speech and voice functionality. Methods & Procedures: Demographic and clinical information was collected for the first 100 HNC patients referred to SLP evaluation in the IPU. In addition, different measures of swallowing, speech and voice functionality were taken pre- and post-SLP therapy to estimate if and how the therapy improved the patients' performance in these aspects. Outcomes & Results: Analysis revealed that 84%, 36.2% and 33% of the patients suffered from swallowing, speech and voice impairments, respectively. Treatment types (surgery and radiation, chemotherapy and radiation) and the prevalence of speech and voice impairments varied amongst tumour locations (larynx, oral cavity, pharynx), whilst swallowing impairments were highly prevalent across all tumour locations. Speech impairments were more common in patients treated with a combination of surgery and radiation. Comparison between pre- and post-SLP therapy-related measures revealed that swallowing, speech and voice functionality significantly improved following SLP therapy. Conclusions & Implications: The holistic, multidisciplinary approach in the IPU contrasts with the more segmented care typically provided in out-patient/community clinics, making SLP therapy within the IPU uniquely integrated and effective. The protocol established at the IPU provides a valuable framework for SLP assessment and therapy in HNC patients exhibiting swallowing, speech and voice impairments with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life.
Descriptors: Cancer, Physical Disabilities, Human Body, Motor Reactions, Speech Impairments, Speech Language Pathology, Medical Services, Interdisciplinary Approach, Quality of Life
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
Author Affiliations: N/A