The effect of home-based program and outpatient physical therapy in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized, controlled trial. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Su, Tsui-Ling; Chen, An-Ni; Leong, Chau-Peng; Huang, Yu-Chi; Chiang, Chia-Wei; Chen, I-Hsuan; Lee, Yan-Yuh
• Is Part Of: Oral oncology. Volume 74(2017)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: HNC head and neck cancer -- HBP home-based program -- OPT outpatient physical therapy -- FACT H&N Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Head and Neck -- VAS visual analog scale -- 6MWT 6-min walking test -- ROM range of motion; Head and neck cancer -- Physical therapy -- Home-based program -- Outpatient -- Quality of life; Mouth -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Mouth -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Mouth Diseases -- Periodicals; Mouth Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Bouche -- Cancer -- Périodiques; Bouche -- Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9943105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-8375

Abstract

Highlights: Both home-based and outpatient exercise improves shoulder range of motion and functional capacity. Home-based program produces similar therapeutic effects as outpatient physical therapy. Home-based program is priceless and easy to perform for patients with head and neck cancer. Abstract: Objectives: Physical therapy improves outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) but home-based program (HBP) has not yet been investigated thoroughly. This study compared a HBP with outpatient physical therapy (OPT). Methods: This trial categorized patients with primary HNC into OPT and HBP groups. The patients in the HBP group received home-based therapy once a day for 5 days per week. By contrast, the OPT group received various physical therapies, including aerobic, anaerobic, and stretching therapies, twice per week, plus a thrice-weekly home-based therapy that similarly consisted of aerobic, anaerobic, and stretching exercises. The major outcome was the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Head and Neck (FACT H&N), and secondary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS) of shoulder pain, 6-min walking test (6MWT), and shoulder range of motion (ROM), all of which were evaluated before, during, and after interventions. Results: Significant improvements were found after 12 weeks of the HBP or OPT. The HBP was not inferior to OPT regarding FACT H&N (p = .074), VAS of shoulder pain (p = .677), 6MWT (p = .677), and shoulder ROM (p = .145 for flexion; p = .383 for abduction). Conclusions: Both the HBP and OPT can improve shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion and functional capacity.