Expiratory Muscle Strength Training to Improve Voice and Respiratory Outcomes After Laryngectomy: A Feasibility Study

What is already known on this subject According to existing evidence, EMST is an effective treatment for improving cough strength and respiratory function. However, knowledge on the use of EMST after laryngectomy is limited, with only one existing study in evidence (Van Sluis et al. 2020). What this paper adds to existing knowledge This innovative feasibility study provides evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of EMST with people with laryngectomy and preliminary data on its impact on perceptual and objective measures of tracheoesophageal voice, cough and secretion clearance. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Subject to further testing, EMST may be an appropriate treatment to consider improving respiratory function, secretion clearance, vocal loudness and self-perception of communication for tracheoesophageal speakers.