| Popis: |
This study employed an archival approach to explore the predictive relationships between a broad range of rehabilitative, medical and psychosocial variables and alaryngeal speech outcomes for a sample of 165 laryngectomees. Two speech outcomes were examined: esophageal speech proficiency and the primary mode of communication used by the laryngectomee (esophageal speech versus an alternative means of communication). A small, but significant amount of variance in esophageal speech proficiency could be accounted for by the laryngectomees' regularity of attendance at speech therapy, their employment status during rehabilitation and the presence of postoperative recurrence. It was not possible, however, to adequately predict the primary method of communication used by the laryngectomees in this sample. A major implication of these findings is that psychological and/or physiologic factors other than those investigated are more important predictors of alaryngeal speech acquisition. |
