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Maintaining physical activity during head and neck cancer treatment: Results of a pilot controlled trial.
Zhao, SG, Alexander, NB, Djuric, Z, Zhou, J, Tao, Y, Schipper, M, Feng, FY, Eisbruch, A, Worden, FP, Strath, SJ, et al
Head & neck. 2016;(Suppl 1):E1086-96
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (concurrent CRT) to treat head and neck cancer is associated with significant reductions of weight, mobility, and quality of life (QOL). An intervention focusing on functional exercise may attenuate these losses. METHODS We allocated patients to a 14-week functional resistance and walking program designed to maintain physical activity during cancer treatment (MPACT group; n = 11), or to usual care (control group; n = 9). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and 7 and 14 weeks. RESULTS Compared to controls, the MPACT participants had attenuated decline or improvement in several strength, mobility, physical activity, diet, and QOL endpoints. These trends were statistically significant (p < .05) in knee strength, mental health, head and neck QOL, and barriers to exercise. CONCLUSION In this pilot study of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent CRT, MPACT training was feasible and maintained or improved function and QOL, thereby providing the basis for larger future interventions with longer follow-up. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1086-E1096, 2016.
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[EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN OIL EXTRACT OF ROSEHIP IN THE PREVENTION OF EPITHELITIS DUE TO RADIOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER].
Borda Rodríguez, M, Andueza Iriarte, M
Revista de enfermeria (Barcelona, Spain). 2016;(1):49-52
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epithelitis is a frequent side effect in radiotherapy treatments (RT). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of Rosehip Oil (ARM, Repavar®) in the prevention of epithelitis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). MATERIAL AND METHODS An interventionist, prospective, exploratory, controlled and open clinical study. Between May and October 2013, 28 patients were included in the study. After signing the informed consent form, the patients were provided with ARM to apply this twice daily from the beginning of the treatment. All of them had a prescribed dose of IMRT ≥ 60 Gy. They were evaluated weekly by nurses on the ward. A photographic monitoring of the skin with a registered grade of epithelitis and with signs of pain or other was carried out. The control group was formed of 34 consecutive patients with HNC treated with IMRT months prior to the study, whose skin treatment had been different products. RESULTS Both groups were comparable (age, sex, region and RT dose). In the study group (ARM), the number of treatments per patient (p = 0.3) and the natural days for treatment per patient (p = 0.38) were less; also, the number of patients who required treatments and who suffered from radiodermitis of III-IV grade, were less. It is probable that the limited specimen size may have influenced in the statistics. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of ARM in the prevention of severe epithelitis in patients with HNC treated with RT is, at least, as effective (or more effective) as other and more common skin treatments. A randomized study would be required to confirm these findinas.