Development and feasibility of a Swallowing intervention Package (SiP) for patients receiving radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer - the SiP study protocol

Citation

Wells M, King E, Toft K, MacAulay F, Patterson J, Dougall N, Hulbert-Williams N, Boa S, Slaven E, Cowie J, McGarva J, Niblock PG, Philp J & Roe J (2016) Development and feasibility of a Swallowing intervention Package (SiP) for patients receiving radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer - the SiP study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2 (1), Art. No.: 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-016-0079-6

Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and the functional, psychological and social consequences of HNC cancer and its treatment can be severe and chronic. Dysphagia (swallowing problems) affects up to two thirds of patients undergoing combined chemoradiotherapy. Recent reviews suggest that prophylactic swallowing exercises may improve a range of short- and long-term outcomes; however, the importance of psychological and behavioural factors on adherence to swallowing exercises has not been adequately studied. This study aims to develop and test the feasibility of a Swallowing intervention Package (SiP) designed in partnership with patients, speech and language therapists (SLTs) and other members of the head and neck multi-disciplinary team (MDT), for patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer.

Keywords
Dysphagia; Cancer; Head and neck; Intervention; Exercise; Rehabilitation; Study protocol

Journal
Pilot and Feasibility Studies: Volume 2, Issue 1

People

Dr Emma King

Research Fellow, NMAHP

Professor Mary Wells

Honorary Professor, NMAHP