TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects of a multidisciplinary residential nutritional rehabilitation program in head and neck cancer survivors—results from the nutri-hab randomized controlled trial

AU - Kristensen, Marianne Boll

AU - Wessel, Irene

AU - Beck, Anne Marie

AU - Dieperink, Karin B.

AU - Mikkelsen, Tina Broby

AU - Møller, Jens Jakob Kjer

AU - Zwisler, Ann Dorthe

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Head and neck cancer survivors frequently experience nutritional challenges, and proper rehabilitation should be offered. The trial objective was to test the effect of a multidisciplinary residential nutritional rehabilitation programme addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects of eating problems after treatment. In a randomized controlled trial, 71 head and neck cancer survivors recruited through a nationwide survey were randomized to the program or a wait-list control group. Inclusion was based on self-reported interest in participation. The primary outcome was change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included physical function, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Differences between groups at the 3-month follow-up were tested. No significant differences were seen in body weight change, but there were overall trends towards greater improvements in physical function (hand grip strength: p = 0.042; maximal mouth opening: p = 0.072) and quality of life (“Role functioning”: p = 0.041; “Speech problems”: p = 0.040; “Pain”: p = 0.048) in the intervention group. To conclude, a multidisciplinary residential nutritional rehabilitation program had no effect on body weight in head and neck cancer survivors with self-reported interest in participation, but it may have effect on physical function and quality of life. Further research on relevant outcomes, inclusion criteria, and the program’s effect in different subgroups is needed.

AB - Head and neck cancer survivors frequently experience nutritional challenges, and proper rehabilitation should be offered. The trial objective was to test the effect of a multidisciplinary residential nutritional rehabilitation programme addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects of eating problems after treatment. In a randomized controlled trial, 71 head and neck cancer survivors recruited through a nationwide survey were randomized to the program or a wait-list control group. Inclusion was based on self-reported interest in participation. The primary outcome was change in body weight. Secondary outcomes included physical function, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Differences between groups at the 3-month follow-up were tested. No significant differences were seen in body weight change, but there were overall trends towards greater improvements in physical function (hand grip strength: p = 0.042; maximal mouth opening: p = 0.072) and quality of life (“Role functioning”: p = 0.041; “Speech problems”: p = 0.040; “Pain”: p = 0.048) in the intervention group. To conclude, a multidisciplinary residential nutritional rehabilitation program had no effect on body weight in head and neck cancer survivors with self-reported interest in participation, but it may have effect on physical function and quality of life. Further research on relevant outcomes, inclusion criteria, and the program’s effect in different subgroups is needed.

KW - Eating problems

KW - Head and neck cancer

KW - Late effects

KW - Quality of life

KW - Rehabilitation

KW - Survivorship

U2 - 10.3390/nu12072117

DO - 10.3390/nu12072117

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32708864

AN - SCOPUS:85088168633

VL - 12

SP - 1

EP - 27

JO - Nutrients

JF - Nutrients

SN - 2072-6643

IS - 7

M1 - 2117

ER -