Association between Daily Life Difficulties and Acceptance of Disability in Cancer Survivors after Total Laryngectomy: a Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the relationships between the acceptance of disability and daily life difficulties in patients after total laryngectomy. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 135 patients who were participating in a self-help group after laryngectomy. The questionnaire included items on personal attributes, daily life difficulties, and acceptance of disability according to the Nottingham Adjustment Scale – Japanese Laryngectomy version (NAS-J-L). Multiple regression analysis was conducted using the NAS-J-L acceptance of disability subscale score as the dependent variable and daily life difficulties as the independent variables. RESULTS: Among the 57 respondents, 43 who provided valid answers were included in the analysis (41 men and 2 women; mean age = 67.5 ± 10.6 years). Acceptance of disability was significantly associated with difficulties in defecation (β = −0.409, P < 0.01) and breathing (β = −0.356, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that difficulties in defecation and breathing due to airway alterations influence acceptance of disability after laryngectomy. Therefore, nurses should carefully assess daily life difficulties and patient's ability to perform self-care activities such as defecating and breathing to promote acceptance of disability and facilitate adaptation to daily life after total laryngectomy.