Effect of Swallowing Exercises Program on Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Dysphagia considered being the most prominent symptom resulting from disease process of head and neck cancer and its treatment. Damage of swallowing function is causing malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration and pneumonia. It occurs due to incompetent closure of the epiglottis during swallowing, weakness of oral muscle (Vogel, Rommel & Oettin, 2017). Swallowing exercises for head and neck cancer patients; is very effective to diminish swallowing problems, promote strength, mobility and endurance of base of tongue, pharyngeal constrictors and suprahyoid strap muscles. Recent data refer to these exercises as a promising method in preventing swallowing problems and it is a standard preventive program (Peng, et al., 2015). Aim of the study: The present study aimed to assess: Effect of Swallowing Exercises Program on Patients with Head and Neck Cancer through the followings: 1. Asses the patients' knowledge regarding head and neck cancer. 2. Assess swallowing problems among patients with head and neck cancer. 4. Design, implement and evaluate the effect of swallowing exercises program on patients with head and neck cancer. Research hypothesis: The current study hypothesized that; the implementation of the swallowing exercises program will lead to significant positive improvement in knowledge related head and neck and swallowing exercises, and will improve swallowing problems among patients with head and neck cancer. Research Design: Quasi- experimental design will be used to achieve the aim of the current study. A quasi-experimental design aim to establish a cause and effect relationship between a dependent variable and independent variable (Kao et al., 2016). Setting: The study will be conducted at the oncology outpatient clinics affiliated to Fayoum University hospital. Subject: