Search

Explore the use, characteristics, feasibility, and functional outcomes of rehabilitation interventions used for individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) during treatment., Searches were conducted in four databases from Jan 2011 to Dec 31, 2022. Included studies had to include adults with HNC undergoing treatment, a rehabilitation intervention, an assessment of functional outcome(s) addressed by the International Classification of Functioning Framework (ICF) and be published in English language. Title and abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction were completed independently, in duplicate. Descriptive statistics and a qualitative synthesis summarized findings., Twenty-seven studies were included in this review. The majority of studies were randomized controlled trials (70%). Most individuals represented in the included studies were males (92% of all participants) between 50 and 60 years of age. Interventions led by a speech language pathologist (33%) were most commonly described. Sixteen studies (59%) described primary outcomes that fit the ICF "impairment" domain., We identified few studies that explored the use, feasibility, and effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for individuals with HNC during treatment. Future research should assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions on functional outcomes beyond the ICF body function and structure domain.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of wall-mounted prompts in facilitating physical activity (PA)-related discussions between individuals with cancer and oncology care providers., Methods: Individuals with cancer were approached to participate in a survey-based pre-post study. Half of participants ( n = 100) completed a survey prior to installation of wall-mounted prompts in clinic while the other half ( n = 100) completed a survey following installation of the prompts. Survey questions included content of PA-related discussion, satisfaction with PA education across treatment, and current PA level. The post-prompt survey also asked questions related to the prompt. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests were performed to determine significance between timepoints., Results: One hundred participants completed the survey at each timepoint. A significant difference was found pre and post-prompt in the number of PA discussions occurring overall during care ( p = 0.03). Some participants (53%) were satisfied with the PA education received during treatment. There was no significant difference in occurrence of PA discussion ( p = 0.36) pre and post-prompt and no difference in PA behaviour was observed ( p = 0.130)., Conclusions: Wall-mounted prompts may be effective in increasing the frequency of PA-related discussions between individuals with cancer and their oncology team across treatment. Additional strategies, such as easy referral to rehabilitation professionals, are also needed to facilitate safe and effective PA behaviour during and after cancer treatments., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© Canadian Physiotherapy Association, 2024.)