Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare self-assessment of voice handicap, sleep quality, and quality of life related to coughing and swallowing before and after using a heat and moisture exchange filter in total laryngectomized patients. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study whose participants completed the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) at three times: (T1) before starting to use the heat and moisture exchange filter, (T2) 2 weeks after using it, and (T3) 4 weeks after using it. RESULTS: 14 participants (12 men) with a mean age of 66.4 ± 5.8 years. The medians of the total VHI score at T1, T2, and T3 were, respectively, 65.5 (47.5-86.3), 55.5 (39.5-71.3), and 44.5 (39-72), p=0.085. The medians of the PSQI score at T1, T2, and T3 were, respectively, 6.5 (4.25-11.8), 4.5 (2.25-10.8), and 3.0 (2.0-5.75), p=0.010. The medians of the total MDADI score at T1, T2, and T3 were, respectively, 78.6 (69.1-92.7), 76.3 (73.3-92.6), and 85.7 (72.7-94), p=0.571. The medians of the total LCQ score at T1, T2, and T3 were, respectively, 16.7 (13.1-18.5), 19.1 (17.4-19.4), and 19.0 (17.3-19.9), p=0.002. CONCLUSION: The total laryngectomized patients participating in this study self-assessed an improvement in the emotional domain of voice handicap, sleep quality, and cough-related quality of life after 2 weeks of using a heat and moisture exchange filter. They also maintained the perception of improvement after 4 weeks of using the device.