Music Speaks the Words: An Integrated Program for Rehabilitation of Post Laryngectomy Patients in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract

Music is known to be beneficial for cancer patients. Patients undergoing laryngectomy experience profound changes in speech, swallowing, breathing, mobility and some sequelae of the disease or post irradiation effects; thus a comprehensive rehabilitation program is necessary. Music, art, and dance were integrated into our institution’s monthly speech rehabilitation program and the annual “Art 4‘Mee Camp”, a multidisciplinary care program. The various techniques used were eurhythmy, rhythmic voice projection, body expression and mirroring, and creative music making. Religious traditional art was also applied as a therapeutic mean. We found 75 percent success rate in esophageal speech training with the participants well accommodated in all activities. Under limited resources, the integrated music, dance, and art combined to the rehabilitation program worked well in allowing a holistic care for the patients.