Prophylactic swallow therapy for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: a randomized trial

Evidence supporting prophylactic swallow exercises for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) has not been universally demonstrated. This RCT examined diet level, feeding tube use, swallow function, and quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy who performed prophylactic swallowing exercises. Sixty HNC patients were randomized into exercise versus control groups. Swallowing, oromotor, toxicity, and QOL data were recorded (baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24\ua0months). Physiological swallow function was examined at baseline and 3\ua0months. Swallow exercises were completed twice daily. Oral intake at 3\ua0months was 10% better in the exercise group, which was not statistically significant (p\ua0=\ua00.49). Significant (p\ua