The effect of structured patient-to-patient communication on fear of cancer recurrence in total laryngectomy patients: A randomized controlled trial

Yiyao Liu; Wenjing Li; Chen He; Licheng Xu; Yujian Teng; Lei Zhang; Ying Zhao; Jiarui Zhang; Linli Tian; Mei Yin

doi:10.1016/j.anl.2026.01.006

The effect of structured patient-to-patient communication on fear of cancer recurrence in total laryngectomy patients: A randomized controlled trial

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2026 Jan 20;53(2):180-187. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2026.01.006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yiyao Liu¹, Wenjing Li², Chen He³, Licheng Xu⁴, Yujian Teng², Lei Zhang², Ying Zhao³, Jiarui Zhang³, Linli Tian⁵, Mei Yin⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Humanities and Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
⁴ Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital & Guangxi Cancer Institute, Nanning 530021, China.
⁵ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China. Electronic address: H04187@hrbmu.edu.cn.
⁶ School of Humanities and Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. Electronic address: dryinmei@163.com.

PMID: 41564457
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2026.01.006

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a patient-to-patient communication model (PPM) in reducing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among laryngeal cancer patients after total laryngectomy, and to explore factors influencing FCR and its relationship with swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 85 laryngeal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment were divided into three groups: Routine Group (RG, n=25) receiving standard care, Patients' Group (PG, n=30) participating in patient-to-patient communication sessions, and Psychologists' Group (PHG, n=30) receiving professional psychological support. Assessments were conducted using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and SWAL-QOL questionnaire at multiple time points.

Results: The PG demonstrated significantly greater improvement in FCR reduction compared to both RG and PHG groups. At 3 months post-treatment, the PG showed a 38% reduction in FCRI scores versus 12% in RG and 22% in PHG. SWAL-QOL scores improved most substantially in the PG (64.7) compared to PHG (51.3) and RG (38.7) at one month post-treatment. Educational level and postoperative quality of life were identified as significant factors influencing FCR severity.

Conclusion: The patient-to-patient communication model proves to be an effective intervention for reducing FCR in laryngectomy patients, particularly during the critical periods before surgery and within the first postoperative week. This approach offers a valuable, low-cost complementary strategy to conventional psychological support in cancer rehabilitation.

Keywords: Fear of cancer recurrence; Laryngeal cancer; Patient-to-patient communication; Quality of life; Rehabilitation.