Exploring The effectiveness of Swallowing Exercises on Dysphagia and Quality of Life Among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Health Care | ||||
| Volume 16, Issue 2, June 2025, Page 1381-1401 PDF (581.81 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhc.2025.447190 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
| Safaa Mohamed Hamed1; Safaa Mohamed Elsayed2; Hayam Ahmed Mohamed1 | ||||
| 1Assistant Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt. | ||||
| 2Lecturer of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Head and neck malignancies are the sixth most frequent type of cancer. Dysphagia is one of the most frequent complications that affect patients’ quality of life. Swallowing exercises could improve dysphagia and quality of life. Aim: Is to explore the effectiveness of swallowing exercises on dysphagia and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. Research design: A quasi-experimental (study/control group) design was used in two settings (radiotherapy unit and clinical oncology department) Zagazig University Hospital, Sharkiya, Governorate, Egypt. A purposeful sample of 80 patients from both genders diagnosed head and neck cancer, patients were assigned into two equal groups (study and control group), 40 patients for each group from the mentioned settings within eight months period were included in the study. Tools: Tool (I): Patients’ assessment questionnaire; (II) Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ);(III) Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) Scale; and (IV) Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). Results: patients’ level of knowledge about head and neck cancer improved from 27.5% among the study group before intervention to 75.0% after four months of swallowing exercises implementation compared to the control group. The mean score of swallowing disturbances questionnaire were 32.40±4.77 among the study group before swallowing exercise implementation and declined after 4 months to 17.05±1.64 compared to the control group. The mean of total dysphagia handicap scores before swallowing exercise implementation was 137.5 ± 15.33 for the study group, while, after 4 months declined to 60.77 ± 20.148 compared to the control group. Mean of total health related quality of life scores before swallowing exercise implementation was 87.42 ± 19.53 for swallowing exercise group and 48.25 ± 22.14 after 4 months compared to the control group. Conclusion: swallowing exercise had decreased swallowing disturbances, dysphagia and improved quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. Recommendations: Encourage patients with head and neck cancer to perform swallowing exercise continually. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Dysphagia; Head and Neck Cancer; Quality of Life; Swallowing Exercises | ||||
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