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Head and Neck CancerNCT00214305

Effects of Swallowing Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

A study testing Range of Motion Therapy Program and Postural Sensory Therapy Program in people with Head and Neck Cancer, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.

Withdrawn

Withdrawn. The study stopped before anyone enrolled.

Official record
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Trial summary

Treatment for head and neck cancer often results in significant swallowing problems because of reduced range of motion (ROM) of the larynx, tongue base, and pharyngeal walls. Our question is: Is swallowing therapy to improve ROM during swallowing maneuvers efficacious in patients with reduced ROM? Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 21 to 80 years
Conditions the study is for
Head and Neck Cancer
What is being tested?
Range of Motion Therapy Program and Postural Sensory Therapy Program
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
0 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Aug 2005to not given
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 21 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Subject have undergone treatment for the head and neck cancer in the form of chemoradiation, and/or one of the following specific types of head and neck cancer surgery: supraglottic laryngectomy, anterior resection with primary or skin graft closure, anterior resection with distal or free flap closure, posterior resection with primary or skin graft closure, or posterior resection with distal or free flap
  • Potential subjects must have been diagnosed with Stage I-IV disease

Who cannot join

  • history of medical problems that may affect swallowing, speech, voice
  • neurological problems
  • gastroenterological problems
  • prior treatment for cancer of the head and neck
  • patient who received a total laryngectomy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Wisconsin

    Madison, Wisconsin, 53792

Other trials in United States

About this study

Treatment for head and neck cancer often results in significant swallowing problems because of reduced range of motion (ROM) of the larynx, tongue base, and pharyngeal walls. Our question is: Is swallowing therapy to improve ROM during swallowing maneuvers efficacious in patients with reduced ROM?

Read the detailed description

Patients with head and neck cancer who are treated with chemoradiation and/or surgical resection may exhibit a variety of swallowing difficulties due to reduced range of motion (ROM) resulting from absence or alteration of the structures involved in deglutition. Chemoradiation protocols have been receiving increased attention in the treatment of head and neck cancer. The primary focus of these regimens is disease control and organ sparing. Preservation of oropharyngeal anatomy, however, has not equated with preservation of function. Due to the severity and frequency of swallowing problems in this population, it is critical that the effectiveness of dysphagia (i.e. swallowing disorder) rehabilitation protocols on preservation and/or restoration of function be determined. In the absence of potential remediation, patients may reject organ preservation treatment protocols because of negative functional side effects. There have been a number of therapeutic exercises designed to improve swallowing that have been shown to have a positive effect on head and neck cancer patients who are dysphagic as a result of treatment with surgery and/or chemoradiation. The short- and long-term effectiveness of these exercises has not been defined. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of combined ROM and postural sensory therapy for swallowing dysfunction to postural sensory therapy alone. By maximizing the effectiveness of therapy, it is expected that improved swallowing function will translate into better quality of life through enjoyment of meals and improved nutrition and hydration so critical to the health and sense of well being of individuals recovering from head and neck cancer.

To be included, subjects must be between 21 and 80 years old and have undergone treatment for the head and neck cancer in the form of chemoradiation, and/or one of the following specific types of head and neck cancer surgery: supraglottic laryngectomy, anterior resection with primary or skin graft closure, anterior resection with distal or free flap closure, posterior resection with primary or skin graft closure, or posterior resection with distal or free flap. Potential subjects must have been diagnosed with Stage I-IV disease and also be available for twice-weekly swallowing therapy sessions. Furthermore, subjects must be available for 12 months while on study.

No subject will be included who has any history of other medical problems that may affect swallowing, speech, voice, neurological problems, gastroenterological problems, or other health problems as determined by the patient's physician and the investigators. Patients with prior treated cancer of the head and neck, or who received a total laryngectomy operation are also not eligible.

Being tested
Range of Motion Therapy Program, Postural Sensory Therapy Program
Medical subject headings
Head and Neck Neoplasms

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Range of Motion Therapy ProgramBehavioural

    The program involves exercises and maneuvers that include voluntary maximal movements of the tongue, pitch range exercises, head lifting (Shaker exercise), resistance to laryngeal excursion (Mendelsohn Maneuver), breath holding after swallow and cough, thermal-tactile stimulation (ice), suck-swallow, optimal posturing, and dietary changes.

  • Postural Sensory Therapy ProgramBehavioural

    The program involves all of the above, except that range of motion exercises (voluntary maximal movements of the tongue, pitch range exercises, head lifting, resistance to laryngeal excursion, breath holding after swallow and cough) are not performed.

Study groups in NCT00214305
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Range of Motion Therapy ProgramExperimentalThe program involves exercises and maneuvers that include voluntary maximal movements of the tongue, pitch range exercises, head lifting (Shaker exercise), resistance to laryngeal excursion (Mendelsohn Maneuver), breath holding after swallow and cough, thermal-tactile stimulation (ice), suck-swallow, optimal posturing, and dietary changes.
Receives: Behavioral: Range of Motion Therapy Program
Postural Sensory Therapy ProgramPlacebo comparatorThe program involves all of the above, except that range of motion exercises (voluntary maximal movements of the tongue, pitch range exercises, head lifting, resistance to laryngeal excursion, breath holding after swallow and cough) are not performed.
Receives: Behavioral: Postural Sensory Therapy Program

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. improved swallowing function

    Measured: 1-month, 4-month, 6-month, and 12-month post treatment

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. significantly more oral intake

    Measured: 1-month, 4-month, 6-month, and 12-month post treatment

  2. a less restricted diet

    Measured: 1-month, 4-month, 6-month, and 12-month post treatment

  3. less cost for medically needed services

    Measured: 1-month, 4-month, 6-month, and 12-month post treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted21 Sep 2005 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2005

Why it stopped: low accrual

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
0 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00214305
Sponsor's protocol ID
2003-373
Status last verified
Sep 2015
First submitted
13 Sep 2005
Last updated
2 Oct 2015
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Range of Motion Therapy Program and Postural Sensory Therapy Program in people with Head and Neck Cancer, run by University of Wisconsin, Madison at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: withdrawn, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Oct 2015. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study was withdrawn before enrolling participants, so there are no results.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

improved swallowing function (time frame: 1-month, 4-month, 6-month, and 12-month post treatment). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Oct 2015.

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