Effect of Combination Versus Indirect Swallowing Exercises on Dysphagia among Patients had Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy.

Ahmed Mohamed, Heba; Saied Mahmoud, Amel

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.389687

Effect of Combination Versus Indirect Swallowing Exercises on Dysphagia among Patients had Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant professors of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University.

² Assistant prof. of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University/ Assistant prof. of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, College of Nursing, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. /King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

10.21608/ejhc.2024.389687

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is one of the most frequent side effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, which has an adverse influence on the quality of life and health of survivors. Aim: to investigate the effect of combination versus indirect swallowing exercises on dysphagia among patients had head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy. Design: A quazi–experimental/interrupted time-series with nonequivalent control group. Setting: radiotherapy department at one of the teaching hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of 90 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, divided into 3 matched groups. control group (G1), first and second study groups (G2& G3). Tools: 1- Demographic and Medical History Data Sheet ; 2-Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ); 3-Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) questionnaire. Results: there was a statistically significant differences between studied groups regarding swallowing disturbances and Dysphagia Handicap Index at second- and third-week follow-up. Conclusion: swallowing exercise had a positive effect on swallowing disturbances and Dysphagia Handicapping index in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Recommendation: Head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy should be encouraged to perform swallowing exercise before and along the period of radiotherapy.

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