Exploring the Use of Rehabilitation in Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Treatment: A Scoping Review

Disability & Rehabilitation

Nayiga, B. K., Abrams, S. W., et al. (2024).

Disability & Rehabilitation, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2328810.

<div>This scoping review investigates the effects of rehabilitation interventions on functional outcomes for adults, 18 years and older, while undergoing treatment (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy) for head and neck cancer (HNC). This summary highlights conclusions within the scope of speech-language pathology.</div>

No funding received

January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2023

<div>Published, English-language studies. Excludes reviews, opinion articles, book chapters, protocol papers, abstracts, or posters.</div>

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<div>The most common rehabilitation intervention provided to adults with HNC receiving cancer treatment included swallowing interventions administered by speech-language pathologists. Studies reported no adverse events related to these interventions. Specific findings include the following:</div> <div> <ul> <li>More than half (4/7) of the studies investigating the effect of prophylactic, exercise-based swallowing rehabilitation (e.g., Shaker exercise, swallowing preservation protocols) reported improvements such as preservation of swallowing function and diet change in adults with HNC.</li> <li>One study found that an active swallowing intervention demonstrated less deterioration of oropharyngeal muscle structure compared to usual care and sham swallow treatments.</li> <li>Two studies investigating maximum mouth-opening outcomes reported mixed results.</li> <li>Two studies examining the effect of swallowing exercises with educational sessions found no difference in eating abilities.</li> </ul> </div> <div>Limitations of this review include the possible exclusion of relevant non-English studies, the lack of quality appraisal, and the lack of available research from low- and middle-income countries. Additional research is needed to investigate multidisciplinary rehabilitation in individuals with HNC.</div>