A randomized controlled study evaluating the head-lift exercise in head and neck cancer patients with radiation-induced dysphagia: effect on swallowing function and health-related quality of life over 12 months

• PurposeDysphagia is common after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) and can affect health-related quality of life (HRQL). This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of the head-lift exercise (HLE) over 12 months in HNC patients with radiation-induced dysphagia.MethodsSixty-one patients with dysphagia were randomized to intervention group (n = 30) and control group (n = 31) at 6-36 months after completion of radiotherapy for HNC. Dysphagia-specific HRQL was measured with the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI); general and HNC-specific HRQL was measured with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and QLQ-H & N35. Measurements were made at baseline, and at 8 weeks and 12 months after start of intervention.ResultsAdherence to the intervention was good throughout the year. When comparing change from baseline reports to each follow-up no statistically significant differences between the groups were found in any of the HRQL instruments. There were some statistically significant changes within groups compared to baseline. The intervention group improved self-rated swallowing function on the MDADI at 8 weeks (emotional domain, p = 0.03; functional domain, p = 0.007; total score, p = 0.01) and the control at twelve months (emotional domain, p = 0.03; functional domain, p = 0.02; physical domain, p = 0.004; total score, p = 0.002).ConclusionIn this randomized control study, no effect was observed short term or at 12 months on HRQL after use of the HLE as rehabilitation for radiation-induced dysphagia.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oto-rhino-laryngologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Otorhinolaryngology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Head-lift exercise

Head and neck cancer

Dysphagia

Health-related

quality of life

Radiotherapy

Randomized controlled trial

radiotherapy

outcomes

intensity

impact

questionnaire

augmentation

experience

survivors

symptoms

stage

Otorhinolaryngology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)