Résumé
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Therapy and vocal rehabilitation in laryngeal cancer impact patients' quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the quality of life of patients with laryngeal cancer submitted to total laryngectomy and using electrolarynx. METHODS: This is an observational study with a cross-sectional design and a quantitative approach. It was conducted between April 2022 and January 2023 in a Brazilian cancer hospital. For data collection, a quality of life questionnaire, validated for patients with head and neck cancer at the University of Washington, was applied in two phases: from 7 days after total laryngectomy and, subsequently, from 70 days after surgery using electronic larynx for at least 60 days. The inclusion criteria were patients undergoing total laryngectomy included on the Aldenora Bello Cancer Hospital's election list to receive the electronic larynx. Patients who did not sign the informed consent form were not included. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 31 patients, of which approximately 84% were men and approximately 93% at the age of 50 years or older. When comparing the phases, it is possible to observe that the item speech had the greatest progress, while chewing had the least. Only the item recreation, swallowing, taste, and saliva did not show any statistical significance. The score for the general quality of life questions increased. CONCLUSION: Electronic larynx is a viable and useful method of voice rehabilitation. Our data suggest that the use of the electrolarynx as a postlaryngectomy method of verbal communication is responsible for positive effects on patients' quality of life.
Résumé
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain (SEFIP) is a questionnaire specifically designed to measure musculoskeletal pain or discomfort. OBJECTIVE: To perform translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the SEFIP for dancers (SEFIP-dance), for use in Brazilian Portuguese. In addition, as a secondary objective, we adapted the translated version of SEFIP-dance for use among athletes or exercise practitioners (SEFIP-sport). DESIGN AND SETTING: Questionnaire translation and cross-cultural adaptation study conducted at a public university. METHODS: The Brazilian version of the SEFIP-dance questionnaire was developed following the processes of translation (involving two translators with Brazilian Portuguese as their mother tongue and fluency in English), backtranslation (involving two translators with English as their mother tongue and fluency in Brazilian Portuguese), committee review and pre-testing. SEFIP-sport was developed following the processes of content and face validation. RESULTS: SEFIP-dance was applied to 30 dancers, of mean age 22.38 years (standard deviation [SD] = 3.41), among whom 14 were men (46.66%). The participants understood 100% of the SEFIP-dance items and alternatives. SEFIP-sport was applied to 30 athletes or physical exercise practitioners, of mean age 25.09 years (SD = 8.93), among whom 25 were men (86.33%). The participants understood 100% of the SEFIP-sport items and alternatives. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese versions of SEFIP-dance, translated and cross-culturally adapted for dancers, and SEFIP-sport, adapted for athletes or physical exercise practitioners, were shown to have adequate levels of understanding.