Prophylactic Swallow Therapy for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy: A Randomized Trial
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Dysphagia
Abstract
Evidence supporting prophylactic swallow exercises for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) has not been universally demonstrated. This RCT examined diet level, feeding tube use, swallow function, and quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy who performed prophylactic swallowing exercises. Sixty HNC patients were randomized into exercise versus control groups. Swallowing, oromotor, toxicity, and QOL data were recorded (baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24 months). Physiological swallow function was examined at baseline and 3 months. Swallow exercises were completed twice daily. Oral intake at 3 months was 10% better in the exercise group, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.49). Significant (p < 0.05) differences in secondary outcomes including oromotor function, pharyngeal impairment, oral pharyngeal swallow efficiency, and incisal opening were noted at early time points (3-6 months) in the exercise group. Possible positive early improvements in swallow function are associated with swallowing exercises, although these improvements are not significant longer term.
First Page
487
Last Page
500
DOI
10.1007/s00455-017-9790-6
Publication Date
8-2017
Recommended Citation
Messing, Barbara; Ward, Elizabeth C.; Lazarus, Cathy; Kim, Melissa; Zhou, Xian Chong; Silinonte, Jessica; Gold, Dorothy; Harrer, Karen; Ulmer, Karen; Merritt, Samantha; Neuner, Geoff; Levine, Marshall A.; Blanco, Raymond; Saunders, John; and Califano, Joseph A. III, "Prophylactic Swallow Therapy for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy: A Randomized Trial" (2017). Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center. 27.
https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/mjdj_headneck/27