Assessment of communication and swallowing function post laryngectomy: a telerehabilitation trial

We validated an Internet-based telerehabiliatation system designed to assess the oromotor, swallowing and communication outcomes of patients following laryngectomy. Simultaneous online and face-to-face (FTF) assessments were made of 20 patients. The online assessment was conducted using a videoconferencing system developed specifically for telerehabilitation. There was greater than 80% agreement between the online and FTF clinician for all variables relating to oromotor function, swallowing status and communication ability. However, visualization of the stoma was poor. Clinician satisfaction with the functionality of the system was low, although their ratings were high for ease of use and the potential for telerehabilitation as a service delivery method. Patients were 100% satisfied with the usability of the system and the quality of service received. The study suggests that online assessment is a potentially viable service delivery method for evaluating the speech and swallowing status of patients post laryngectomy.