Swallowing therapy and progressive resistance training in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment: randomized control trial protocol and preliminary data

TY - JOUR

T1 - Swallowing therapy and progressive resistance training in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment

T2 - randomized control trial protocol and preliminary data

AU - Hajdú, Sara F

AU - Wessel, Irene

AU - Johansen, Christoffer

AU - Kristensen, Claus A

AU - Kadkhoda, Zahra T

AU - Plaschke, Christina C

AU - Dalton, Susanne O

PY - 2017/2/1

Y1 - 2017/2/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are often challenged by treatment induced dysphagia and trismus. Traditionally, rehabilitation is initiated when loss of function has already occurred. There is increasing evidence that it is of benefit to patients to initiate an early rehabilitation process before and during treatment. HNC patients have a unique set of functional challenges such as pre- and post-treatment dysphagia, pain and weight loss. The aim of the trial is to investigate the effects of swallowing and mouth-opening exercises combined with progressive resistance training (PRT) during radiotherapy. This report presents the protocol, interim inclusion and feasibility data.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02385929) is a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a parallel-group randomization (1:1). The planned sample size of 240 HNC patients is randomly assigned to either (1) twice weekly PRT and three times weekly swallowing exercises by physio- and occupational therapists, respectively, as well as daily home exercises throughout radiotherapy or (2) standard care. Inclusion criteria are patients with cancer in the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, or unknown primary tumor who are referred to radiotherapy with curative intent. Outcomes are measured at end-of-treatment and two, five, and 12 months post-treatment. Interim results: In 16 months, 321 HNC patients were screened for eligibility. Of these, 131 (41%) were eligible according to inclusion criteria. One-hundred-and-fifteen patients were invited to participate of which 69 (60%) were enrolled in the trial and randomized for either intervention or control group with 10 drop-outs (14%). The six pilot patients adhered more than 90% to the program.CONCLUSION: Preliminary results show that exercise according to protocol is tolerable and feasible.

AB - BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are often challenged by treatment induced dysphagia and trismus. Traditionally, rehabilitation is initiated when loss of function has already occurred. There is increasing evidence that it is of benefit to patients to initiate an early rehabilitation process before and during treatment. HNC patients have a unique set of functional challenges such as pre- and post-treatment dysphagia, pain and weight loss. The aim of the trial is to investigate the effects of swallowing and mouth-opening exercises combined with progressive resistance training (PRT) during radiotherapy. This report presents the protocol, interim inclusion and feasibility data.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02385929) is a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a parallel-group randomization (1:1). The planned sample size of 240 HNC patients is randomly assigned to either (1) twice weekly PRT and three times weekly swallowing exercises by physio- and occupational therapists, respectively, as well as daily home exercises throughout radiotherapy or (2) standard care. Inclusion criteria are patients with cancer in the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, or unknown primary tumor who are referred to radiotherapy with curative intent. Outcomes are measured at end-of-treatment and two, five, and 12 months post-treatment. Interim results: In 16 months, 321 HNC patients were screened for eligibility. Of these, 131 (41%) were eligible according to inclusion criteria. One-hundred-and-fifteen patients were invited to participate of which 69 (60%) were enrolled in the trial and randomized for either intervention or control group with 10 drop-outs (14%). The six pilot patients adhered more than 90% to the program.CONCLUSION: Preliminary results show that exercise according to protocol is tolerable and feasible.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Aged, 80 and over

KW - Clinical Protocols

KW - Deglutition

KW - Female

KW - Head and Neck Neoplasms

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Resistance Training

KW - Journal Article

KW - Multicenter Study

KW - Randomized Controlled Trial

U2 - 10.1080/0284186x.2016.1269193

DO - 10.1080/0284186x.2016.1269193

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28206871

SN - 0284-186X

VL - 56

SP - 354

EP - 359

JO - Acta Oncologica

JF - Acta Oncologica

IS - 2

ER -