Impact of prehabilitation swallowing exercises on swallowing difficulty and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment could leave devastating side effects and impact patients’ quality of life. Exercise prior to treatment could improve deglutition and quality of life. Aim: Evaluate impact of prehabilitation swallowing exercises on swallowing difficulty and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design (study/ control). Sample: A purposeful sample of 60 patients from both sexes with head and neck cancer, patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups, 30 patients for each group. Setting: Clinical Oncology Department, Radiotherapy Unit at Main Assiut University Hospitals and South Egypt Cancer Institute - Assiut University. Tools: Tool (I): Patient's assessment questionnaire, Tool (II): Sydney Swallow Questionnaire. Tool (III): MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory questionnaire. Results: Majority of study group (90 %) and nearly two thirds (63.3%) of control group had mild swallowing difficulty with significant difference (p value 0.02*) & after 6 months nearly two thirds (60%) of study group had mild swallowing difficulty in comparison to highest percentage (70%) of control group had severe swallowing difficulty with highly significant difference (p value 0.001**). There was significant difference between both groups regarding domains of quality of life after implementation of the prehabilitation swallowing exercises (p value 0.001**). Conclusion: The study results elucidated that prehabilitation swallowing exercises for HNC patients resulted in significant improvement in swallowing function and quality of life. Recommendations: Nevertheless, prehabilitation swallowing exercises are crucial for HNC patients to reduce swallowing difficulty and improve quality of life.