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Head and Neck CancerHNCNCT03206242

Rehabilitation Outcomes in Head and Neck Survivors

An observational study of Head and Neck Cancer and Oral Cancer, run by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Head and neck cancer is prevalent in Taiwan, and oral cancer is the most common location. Patients with advanced stage of the disease need extensive tumor excision with neck dissection. Secondary reconstructive surgeries using free flap could improve the postoperative function or appearance of cancer survivors. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Head and Neck Cancer, Oral Cancer
What is being tested?
Physiotherapy
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
How many people
65 participants
Where
1 siteTaiwan
Study dates
1 Jan 2015to 30 Jun 2016
Phase
Observational
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 20 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Subjects receive physical therapy at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital will be invited to participate this study.

Who may be able to join

  • Clinical diagnosis of oral cancer
  • Post-reconstructive surgery
  • Age between 20 to 65 years old
  • Must be able to follow instructions

Who cannot join

  • Central nervous disease
  • Metastasis

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Taiwan1 site
  • Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Rehabilitation Center, Chung Gung Memorial Hospital

    Taoyuan, 333

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

Head and neck cancer is prevalent in Taiwan, and oral cancer is the most common location. Patients with advanced stage of the disease need extensive tumor excision with neck dissection. Secondary reconstructive surgeries using free flap could improve the postoperative function or appearance of cancer survivors. Advanced treatments make survival rates increased. Effects of treatment for oral cancer develop shoulder dysfunction, speech, mastication, donor site morbidity and psychological issues. Physical therapy may have benefits for temporomandibular joint function, shoulder pain relief, muscle performance, and oral structures coordination. Return to work in the number of cancer survivors is a realistic outcome. Rehabilitation effects on functional restorations and quality of life for head and neck survivors are needed for further studied.

The purpose of this project is to explore the rehabilitation effects following head and neck reconstructive survivors. The investigators measure temporomandibular joint function, shoulder function, pain monthly. Physical functions, self-reported quality of life, and the status of return to work are measured 3 and 6 months after surgery. This prospective study could help to predict the rehabilitation outcomes and benefits.

Read the detailed description

Head and neck cancer is prevalent in Taiwan, and oral cancer is the most common location. Patients with advanced stage of the disease need extensive tumor excision with neck dissection. Secondary reconstructive surgeries using free flap could improve the postoperative function or appearance of cancer survivors. Oral functions include respiration, speech, mastication, deglutition, and cosmetics. Advanced treatments make survival rates increased, but might develop shoulder dysfunction, speech, mastication, donor site morbidity and psychological issues. The purpose of this project is to explore the effects of rehabilitation following reconstructive surgery in oral cancer survivors.

This study design is an interrupted time-series design. The investigators will recruit 50 subjects one week following reconstructive surgery. The measurements include manual muscle strength, joint range of motion, maximal mouth opening, pain status, hand-to-neck test, hand-to-scapula test, hand-to-opposite-scapula test, 6-minute walking test, timed up \& go test, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-H\&N35 and return-to-work. These tests were done at the first visit (0 week post-operation), three months and six months after reconstructive surgery respectively. The intervention programs consist of edema control, scar management, pain management, respiration training, oral function training, neck and shoulder function training, donor site mobility training. Continuous variables were analyzed by descriptive statistics. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference between measurements. Binary logistic regression was used to predict the factors of return-to-work.

Being tested
Physiotherapy
Keywords
Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Trismus, Pain, Return to work, Quality of life
Medical subject headings
Head and Neck Neoplasms, Mouth Neoplasms, Trismus, Pain

What participants receive

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

  • PhysiotherapyOther

    Also called Rehabilitation

    Interventions of physical therapy will be implemented after reconstructive surgery including edema control, scar management, pain management, respiration training, oral function training, neck and shoulder function training, donor site mobility training.

Study groups in NCT03206242
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
initial0 month begin physiotherapy
Receives: Other: Physiotherapy
3 months after physiotherapy3 months after physiotherapy
Receives: Other: Physiotherapy
6 months after physiotherapy6 months after physiotherapy
Receives: Other: Physiotherapy

What is being measured

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

  1. return to work as measured by interview

    Measured: 1 year

  2. quality of life as measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30

    Measured: 1 year

  3. physical functions measured by 6-minute walking test

    Measured: 1 year

  4. quality of life as measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-H&N35

    Measured: 1 year

  5. physical functions measured by time up & go test

    Measured: 1 year

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. shoulder function measured by function-related tests

    Measured: 1 year

  2. pain measured by Visual Analog Scale

    Measured: 1 year

  3. mouth opening measured by Boley gauge

    Measured: 1 year

  4. joint range of motion measured by goniometer

    Measured: 1 year

  5. muscle strength measured by manual muscle testing

    Measured: 1 year

Timeline

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

  1. First posted2 Jul 2017
  2. Study start1 Jan 2015
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2016
  4. Study completion30 Jun 2016

Resources

More details

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

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
65 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03206242
Sponsor's protocol ID
104-2300C
Other IDs
CGMH-IRB-103-5164B
Acronym
HNC
Status last verified
May 2015
First submitted
17 Feb 2015
Last updated
2 Jul 2017
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Wong CH, Wei FC. Microsurgical free flap in head and neck reconstruction. Head Neck. 2010 Sep;32(9):1236-45. doi: 10.1002/hed.21284.

    PubMed 20014446
  • Lutz BS, Wei FC. Microsurgical workhorse flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Clin Plast Surg. 2005 Jul;32(3):421-30, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2005.02.006.

    PubMed 15979480
  • Neligan PC. Head and neck reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Feb;131(2):260e-269e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182778938.

    PubMed 23358022
  • Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Logemann JA, Discekici-Harris M, Mittal BB. Comparison of swallowing function after intensity-modulated radiation therapy and conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2015 Nov;37(11):1575-82. doi: 10.1002/hed.23796. Epub 2014 Aug 1.

    PubMed 24909649
  • Sheikh A, Shallwani H, Ghaffar S. Postoperative shoulder function after different types of neck dissection in head and neck cancer. Ear Nose Throat J. 2014 Apr-May;93(4-5):E21-6.

    PubMed 24817237
  • van der Molen L, van Rossum MA, Burkhead LM, Smeele LE, Rasch CR, Hilgers FJ. A randomized preventive rehabilitation trial in advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy: feasibility, compliance, and short-term effects. Dysphagia. 2011 Jun;26(2):155-70. doi: 10.1007/s00455-010-9288-y. Epub 2010 Jul 11.

    PubMed 20623305
  • Eades M, Murphy J, Carney S, Amdouni S, Lemoignan J, Jelowicki M, Nadler M, Chasen M, Gagnon B. Effect of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: review of clinical experience. Head Neck. 2013 Mar;35(3):343-9. doi: 10.1002/hed.22972. Epub 2012 Mar 16.

    PubMed 22422558
  • McGarvey AC, Osmotherly PG, Hoffman GR, Chiarelli PE. Impact of neck dissection on scapular muscle function: a case-controlled electromyographic study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Jan;94(1):113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.07.017. Epub 2012 Aug 1.

    PubMed 22864015
  • Hsieh LC, Chen JW, Wang LY, Tsang YM, Shueng PW, Liao LJ, Lo WC, Lin YC, Tseng CF, Kuo YS, Jhuang JY, Tien HJ, Juan HF, Hsieh CH. Predicting the severity and prognosis of trismus after intensity-modulated radiation therapy for oral cancer patients by magnetic resonance imaging. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 21;9(3):e92561. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092561. eCollection 2014.

    PubMed 24658376
  • Wetzels JW, Merkx MA, de Haan AF, Koole R, Speksnijder CM. Maximum mouth opening and trismus in 143 patients treated for oral cancer: a 1-year prospective study. Head Neck. 2014 Dec;36(12):1754-62. doi: 10.1002/hed.23534. Epub 2014 Jan 30.

    PubMed 24478217
  • Lee R, Slevin N, Musgrove B, Swindell R, Molassiotis A. Prediction of post-treatment trismus in head and neck cancer patients. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012 Jun;50(4):328-32. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2011.06.009. Epub 2011 Jul 26.

    PubMed 21794962
  • Stubblefield MD. Radiation fibrosis syndrome: neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complications in cancer survivors. PM R. 2011 Nov;3(11):1041-54. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.08.535.

    PubMed 22108231
  • Chan JY, Lua LL, Starmer HH, Sun DQ, Rosenblatt ES, Gourin CG. The relationship between depressive symptoms and initial quality of life and function in head and neck cancer. Laryngoscope. 2011 Jun;121(6):1212-8. doi: 10.1002/lary.21788. Epub 2011 May 3.

    PubMed 21541945
  • EWING MR, MARTIN H. Disability following radical neck dissection; an assessment based on the postoperative evaluation of 100 patients. Cancer. 1952 Sep;5(5):873-83. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(195209)5:53.0.co;2-4. No abstract available.

    PubMed 12988177
  • McNeely ML, Parliament MB, Seikaly H, Jha N, Magee DJ, Haykowsky MJ, Courneya KS. Effect of exercise on upper extremity pain and dysfunction in head and neck cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2008 Jul 1;113(1):214-22. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23536.

    PubMed 18457329

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Head and Neck Cancer and Oral Cancer, run by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.

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 4 inclusion and 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jul 2017. 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 Taiwan. 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. 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 is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

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?

return to work as measured by interview (time frame: 1 year). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03206242, which also lists 33 linked publications.

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 Jul 2017; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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