Objective To evaluate the effect of body positions for swallowing training in patients after surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. Methods A total of 108 patients with laryngeal cancer who met the inclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling method.Patients were assigned following a simple randomisation sequence based on a random-number table to three groups:control, experimental 1 and experimental 2, with 36 in each group.Participants in each group were instructed to perform swallowing training in three alternative positions:erect sitting, 60 ° semi-recumbent position with the head of the bed elevated to 60 °, and 30° semi-recumbent position. The swallowing safety, swallowing function, self-efficacy and the amount of food left over were compared among the three groups. Results After one week of the swallowing training, the experimental group 2 had milder swallowing impairment, higher self-efficacy score and greater food intake compared with the control group and the experimental group 1 （all P＜0.05 ）. There was no significant difference in recovery of swallowing function among the three groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion The use of 30 ° semi-recumbent position for swallowing training after laryngeal cancer surgery can reduce the incidence of impaired swallowing safety, improve patients′ self-efficacy and food intake, and meet the nutritional demands of patients.