Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of a guided self-help head and neck exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy: Results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The guided self-help exercise program called In Tune without Cords (ITwC) is effective in improving swallowing problems and communication among patients treated with a total laryngectomy (TL). This study investigated the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of ITwC.

Materials And Methods: Patients within 5 years after TL were included in this randomized controlled trial.

A Multidisciplinary Delphi Consensus Study of Communicative Participation in Young Children With Language Disorders.

Purpose Our aim was to develop consensus on the definition and operationalization of communicative participation (CP) in 2- to 8-year-old children with language disorders (LDs). A clear definition and operationalization can facilitate the discussion about children's communication problems in daily life between parents and professionals. Method In an online Delphi study, anonymized thoughts and opinions were collected on the definition and operationalization of CP in young children with LD.

Effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program tailored to patients treated with total laryngectomy: Results of a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a guided self-help exercise program on swallowing, speech, and shoulder problems in patients treated with total laryngectomy (TL).

Materials And Methods: This randomized controlled trial included patients treated with TL in the last 5 years. Patients were randomized into the intervention group (self-help exercise program with flexibility, range-of-motion and lymphedema exercises and self-care education program) or control group (self-care education program).

Prophylactic exercises among head and neck cancer patients during and after swallowing sparing intensity modulated radiation: adherence and exercise performance levels of a 12-week guided home-based program.

The background and purpose of this paper is to investigate adherence, exercise performance levels and associated factors in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients participating in a guided home-based prophylactic exercise program during and after treatment [swallowing sparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (SW-IMRT)]. Fifty patients were included in the study. Adherence was defined as the percentage of patients who kept up exercising; exercise performance level was categorized as low: ≤1, moderate: 1-2, and high: ≥2 time(s) per day, on average.

Effectiveness and cost-utility of a guided self-help exercise program for patients treated with total laryngectomy: protocol of a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Background: Total laryngectomy with or without adjuvant (chemo)radiation often induces speech, swallowing and neck and shoulder problems. Speech, swallowing and shoulder exercises may prevent or diminish these problems. The aim of the present paper is to describe the study, which is designed to investigate the effectiveness and cost-utility of a guided self-help exercise program built into the application "In Tune without Cords" among patients treated with total laryngectomy.

A Participatory Design Approach to Develop a Web-Based Self-Care Program Supporting Early Rehabilitation among Patients after Total Laryngectomy.

Aim: To develop a Web-based self-care program for patients after total laryngectomy according to a participatory design approach.

Methods: We conducted a needs assessment with laryngectomees (n = 9) and their partners (n = 3) by means of a focus group interview. In 4 focus group sessions, a requirement plan was formulated by a team of health care professionals (n = 10) and translated into a prototype.

An online self-care education program to support patients after total laryngectomy: feasibility and satisfaction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an online self-care education program supporting early rehabilitation of patients after total laryngectomy (TLPs) and factors associated with satisfaction.

Methods: Health care professionals (HCPs) were invited to participate and to recruit TLPs. TLPs were informed on the self-care education program "In Tune without Cords" (ITwC) after which they gained access.

Multimodal guided self-help exercise program to prevent speech, swallowing, and shoulder problems among head and neck cancer patients: a feasibility study.

Background: During a 6-week course of (chemo)radiation many head and neck cancer patients have to endure radiotherapy-induced toxicity, negatively affecting patients' quality of life. Pretreatment counseling combined with self-help exercises could be provided to inform patients and possibly prevent them from having speech, swallowing, and shoulder problems during and after treatment.

Objective: Our goal was to investigate the feasibility of a multimodal guided self-help exercise program entitled Head Matters during (chemo)radiation in head and neck cancer patients.

Associations between voice quality and swallowing function in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between voice quality and swallowing function in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods: Recordings of speech and videofluoroscopy of 51 patients after treatment for oral or oropharyngeal cancer were analysed. Acoustic voice parameters (fundamental frequency (F0), perturbation (jitter %, shimmer %), harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), and intensity (extracted from the vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/)) were compared to swallowing function parameters as assessed via videofluoroscopy (oral, oropharyngeal, and total transit time; estimated percent of oral, oropharyngeal, and total residue; oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency (OPSE), and the penetration/aspiration (PA-) scale).

Computerized monitoring of patient-reported speech and swallowing problems in head and neck cancer patients in clinical practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate computerized monitoring of speech and swallowing outcomes and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and emotional well-being in head and neck cancer patients in an outpatient clinic.

Methods: Sixty-seven patients, treated by single or multimodality treatment, completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in an outpatient clinic, using a touch screen computer system (OncoQuest), at baseline (at time of diagnosis) and first follow-up (1 month after end of treatment).

Results: Tumor sites included oral cavity (n = 12), oropharynx (n = 18), hypopharynx (n = 8), and larynx (n = 29).