Self-Management Intervention Improves Patient Adherence to Swallowing Exercises During Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Authors

Eileen H Shinn
Adam S Garden
Minxing Chen
Karen Basen-Engquist
Bryan Fellman
Kate Hutcheson
William H Morrison
Susan Peterson
Liang Li

Language

English

Publication Date

11-1-2024

Journal

Head & Neck

DOI

10.1002/hed.27832

PMID

38873861

PMCID

PMC11801331

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-6-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Background: While preventive swallowing exercises reduce the risk of radiation-associated dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, strategies are needed to improve patient adherence.

Methods: Before radiation, all participants were taught preventive swallowing exercises and randomized to either an adherence intervention or enhanced usual care. During radiation, all participants met twice with a speech pathologist for swallowing assessment and reinforcement of exercises. Intervention participants met weekly with a counselor in-person or by phone. At 6-week post-radiation follow-up, all participants completed a follow-up assessment of self-reported adherence, which was then corroborated with medical record documentation.

Results: Newly diagnosed pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients without distant metastases were randomized (n = 265; 135 to intervention, and 130 to usual care). Intervention participants were more likely to adhere to exercises during radiation compared to the control group (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The weekly in-person adherence intervention program significantly increased patient's adherence to preventive swallowing exercises during radiation.

Keywords

Humans, Male, Female, Patient Compliance, Middle Aged, Deglutition Disorders, Exercise Therapy, Aged, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Self-Management, Deglutition, Laryngeal Neoplasms, Pharyngeal Neoplasms, Adult, Radiation Injuries, adherence, coping, psychosocial, radiation, self‐management

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Shinn, Eileen H; Garden, Adam S; Chen, Minxing; et al., "Self-Management Intervention Improves Patient Adherence to Swallowing Exercises During Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer" (2024). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 6415.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/6415