Purpose: This quasi-experimental parallel cluster study was carried out to investigate the utility of interdisciplinary swallowing therapy exercises in improving swallowing function and quality of life (QOL) in dysphagic cancer patients following tongue resection and subsequent rehabilitation treatment.
Methods: All subjects in the experimental group underwent a structured swallowing training program. The subjects in the experimental group (n = 23) received 30 min of swallowing training each day, 6 days per week for 2 weeks. The control group (n = 23) received no training. Analysis of variance was used, and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) discriminated between groups of subjects.
Results: Patients who underwent structured swallowing training (n = 23) showed improvement in the overall MDADI score (P < 0.01) compared with the control population. Furthermore, a separate analysis of individual domains of the MDADI (global, emotional, functional, and physical) demonstrated improved QOL. Although the mean score for tongue rehabilitation indicated that ≥50% subjects in the functional subscale were improved compared with the control population, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: This study used objectively timed swallowing tests, an interdisciplinary swallowing therapy protocol, and a swallowing questionnaire to evaluate the effects of swallowing training. We found that implementation of swallowing education and exercises improved dysphagia and QOL in cancer patients following tongue resection and rehabilitation. Furthermore, this study indicated that swallowing safety and dysphagia training for nursing professionals is effective.
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