biostudies-literatureShinn EHNIDCR NIH HHSNational Cancer InstituteNCI NIH HHSNational Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research2878-2889https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11801331biostudies-literatureUnknown46(11)<h4>Background</h4>While preventive swallowing exercises reduce the risk of radiation-associated dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, strategies are needed to improve patient adherence.<h4>Methods</h4>Before radiation, all participants were taught preventive swallowing exercises and randomized to either an adherence intervention or enhanced usual care. During radiation, all participants met twice with a speech pathologist for swallowing assessment and reinforcement of exercises. Intervention participants met weekly with a counselor in-person or by phone. At 6-week post-radiation follow-up, all participants completed a follow-up assessment of self-reported adherence, which was then corroborated with medical record documentation.<h4>Results</h4>Newly diagnosed pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients without distant metastases were randomized (n = 265; 135 to intervention, and 130 to usual care). Intervention participants were more likely to adhere to exercises during radiation compared to the control group (p < 0.0001).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The weekly in-person adherence intervention program significantly increased patient's adherence to preventive swallowing exercises during radiation.Head & neckSelf-management intervention improves patient adherence to swallowing exercises during radiation for head and neck cancer.PMC11801331CA016672P30 CA016672R01 DE019141NIDCR DE019141Garden ASChen MHutcheson KShinn EHBasen-Engquist KPeterson SFellman BMorrison WHLi LfalseSelf-management intervention improves patient adherence to swallowing exercises during radiation for head and neck cancer.<h4>Background</h4>While preventive swallowing exercises reduce the risk of radiation-associated dysphagia in patients with head and neck cancer, strategies are needed to improve patient adherence.<h4>Methods</h4>Before radiation, all participants were taught preventive swallowing exercises and randomized to either an adherence intervention or enhanced usual care. During radiation, all participants met twice with a speech pathologist for swallowing assessment and reinforcement of exercises. Intervention participants met weekly with a counselor in-person or by phone. At 6-week post-radiation follow-up, all participants completed a follow-up assessment of self-reported adherence, which was then corroborated with medical record documentation.<h4>Results</h4>Newly diagnosed pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients without distant metastases were randomized (n = 265; 135 to intervention, and 130 to usual care). Intervention participants were more likely to adhere to exercises during radiation compared to the control group (p < 0.0001).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The weekly in-person adherence intervention program significantly increased patient's adherence to preventive swallowing exercises during radiation.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Nov2025-04-04T01:36:14.481Z2025-04-04T01:36:14.481ZS-EPMC118013313887386110.1002/hed.27832