Abstract: Objective: To explore the effects of speech training combined with peer education on speech ability and social adaptation of patients with total laryngectomy. Methods: Peer educators with total laryngectomy and medical professionals in head and neck surgery conducted speech training and peer education for 26 patients with total laryngectomy. The effects of repronunciation and social adaptability after training were evaluated. Results: At the 5th day after the training, 11 patients (42.3%) were able to have 2 consecutive burps, 5 (19.2%) were able to pronounce vowels, and 3 (11.5%) were able to pronounce monosyllables. At the following 1st month and 2nd month, the patients' repronunciation ability was better than at the end of training (P<0.05). The patients' social adaptability was significantly improved at the 2nd month after training than at the end of the training (P<0.05). Conclusion: The model of speech training combined with peer education can promote the rehabilitation of speech function of patients with total laryngectomy. Repronunciation training can improve the social adaptability of patients with total laryngectomy. The benefits of peer education of patients worth further studied in the future.

Key words: speech; Alaryngeal; peer education; social adaptation