Effect of family-based swallowing training program on swallowing function for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To explore the effect of family swallowing training program on swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer after radiotherapy. Methods From September, 2020 to September, 2021, 45 patients with head and neck tumors who received radiotherapy in the oncology department of Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 23) and observation group (n = 22). Both groups received routine treatment, and the observation group received swallowing training program for 14 weeks at the beginning of radiotherapy, including six weeks of individualized guidance training in hospital and eight weeks of home training after leaving the hospital. The incisors spacing, body mass, Kubota Water Swallowing Test (WST) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were compared at the beginning of training, six weeks and 14 weeks after training. Results At the beginning of training, there was no significant difference in incisor spacing, body mass and the scores of WST and FOIS between two groups (P > 0.05). Six weeks and 14 weeks after training, the incisors spacing, and the scores of WST and FOIS were better in the observation group than in the control group (|Z| > 2.332, P < 0.05). Conclusion Family-based swallowing training program is helpful to improve the limitation of mouth opening and dysphagia caused by radiotherapy. Family-based swallowing training program is simple, safe, economical and highly operable, which is worthy of clinical promotion.