Shoulder pain, functional status, and health-related quality of life after head and neck cancer surgery

Enhancing Self-care Among Oral Cancer Survivors: Protocol for the Empowered Survivor Trial

BACKGROUND

Survivors of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer frequently experience difficulties in swallowing; tasting; speaking; chewing; and maintaining comfortable movements of the head, neck, and shoulder. Engagement in regular self-care can reduce further loss of function and mitigate late effects. Despite the substantial self-care requirements, there are no empirically based interventions to enhance the skills and confidence of these survivors in managing their ongoing care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to describe the rationale and methodology for a randomized controlled trial evaluating Empowered Survivor (ES) versus Springboard Beyond Cancer, a general web-based program for cancer survivors, on self-efficacy in managing care, preparedness for managing survivorship, and health-related quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

This study will recruit a total of 600 individuals who were diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the past 3 years and are currently cancer free primarily from state cancer registries; these individuals will be randomly assigned to either the ES or Springboard Beyond Cancer condition. The participants complete measures of self-efficacy in managing care, preparedness for survivorship, health-related QOL, and engagement in oral self-examination and head and neck strengthening and flexibility exercises at baseline and 2 and 6 months after baseline. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of ES versus Springboard Beyond Cancer on self-efficacy, preparedness, and health-related QOL. The secondary aim is to examine the mediators and moderators of ES's impact on self-efficacy in managing care, preparedness, and health-related QOL at 6 months. The exploratory aim is to conduct a process evaluation of ES to identify potential oncology or community settings for future implementation.

RESULTS

Multilevel modeling will be used to examine whether there are significant differences between the ES and Springboard Beyond Cancer interventions over time. Mediational models will evaluate the indirect effects of ES on outcomes. Quantitative analyses will evaluate the predictors of ES use, and qualitative analyses will evaluate the preferred timing and settings for the implementation of ES.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomized controlled trial evaluates a completely web-based intervention, ES, versus a general web-based program for cancer survivors, Springboard Beyond Cancer, on self-efficacy in managing care, preparedness for managing survivorship, and health-related QOL and identifies the putative mediators and moderators of the intervention's effects. If an effect on the primary outcomes is illustrated, the next step could be an implementation trial to evaluate the intervention's uptake in and impact on an oncology care setting or nonprofit organizations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClincalTrials.gov NCT04713449; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04713449.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/39996.

Nurse-Led Counseling Intervention of Postoperative Home-Based Exercise Training Improves Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Disability, and Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of the nurse-led counseling intervention (NLCI) of postoperative home-based exercise training (HBET) on functional outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (NDHNC). Forty NDHNC patients were randomly and equally divided into the control and intervention groups. Both groups received routine care, and were instructed to undergo a HBET program with 40 min moderate-intensity exercise 3–4 times per day for 12 weeks after their surgery. Only the intervention group received the NLCI with a bedside demonstration, coaching, consultation, and a weekly telephone follow-up. Shoulder pain (SP), shoulder disability (SD), and quality of life (QOL) scores were assessed using questionnaires at 2 weeks presurgery and at several timepoints postsurgery. Over the 12-week study period, all three scores remained relatively stable in the control group. By contrast, the SP, SD, and QOL scores significantly improved in the intervention group. The generalized estimating equation analysis revealed a significant time effect, group effect, and group–time interaction. The analysis of covariance revealed that all three scores significantly improved in the intervention group compared with those in the control group at 12 weeks postsurgery. We concluded that the NLCI of postoperative HBET improved the SP, SD, and QOL of NDHNC patients.

Society of Behavioral Medicine position statement: Society of Behavioral Medicine supports oral cancer early detection by all healthcare providers

In response to the increasing incidence of certain oral and oropharyngeal cancers, the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) calls on healthcare providers and legislators to expand awareness of oral and oropharyngeal cancer risk factors, increase early detection, and support policies that increase utilization of dental services. SBM supports the American Dental Association's 2017 guideline for evaluating potentially malignant oral cavity disorders and makes the following recommendations to healthcare providers and legislators. We encourage healthcare providers and healthcare systems to treat oral exams as a routine part of patient examination; communicate to patients about oral/oropharyngeal cancers and risk factors; encourage HPV vaccination for appropriate patients based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; support avoidance of tobacco use and reduction of alcohol consumption; and follow the current recommendations for evaluating potentially malignant oral cavity lesions. Because greater evidence is needed to inform practice guidelines in the primary care setting, we call for more research in collaborative health and dental services. We encourage legislators to support policies that expand Medicaid to cover adult dental services, increase Medicaid reimbursement for dental services, and require dental care under any modification of, or replacement of, the Affordable Care Act.

What Imaging-Detected Pathologies Are Associated With Shoulder Symptoms and Their Persistence? A Systematic Literature Review

Objective

Shoulder symptoms are common, and imaging is being increasingly used to help with management. However, the relationship between imaging and symptoms remains unclear. This review aims to understand the relationship between imaging‐detected pathologies, symptoms, and their persistence.

Methods

A systematic review using Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, and grey literature was conducted to April 2017. The cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationships between imaging‐detected abnormalities and symptoms were analyzed and associations qualitatively characterized by a best‐evidence synthesis based on study design, covariate adjustment, and the Grade of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Modalities included ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiographs, positron emission tomography (PET), bone scintigraphy, and computed tomography.

Results

A total of 6,569 abstracts was screened and 56 articles were included. In total, 50 studies did not adjust for covariates and 36 analyzed individual pathologies only. The majority of studies showed conflicting results. There was no significant association between most imaging features and symptoms among high‐quality, cross‐sectional studies. There was low‐quality evidence that enhancement of the joint capsule on MRI and increased uptake on PET were associated with symptoms in adhesive capsulitis. Based on high‐quality longitudinal studies, enlarging rotator cuff tears were associated with an increased incidence of symptoms.

Conclusion

There were conflicting results on the association of imaging features with shoulder symptoms and their persistence. The existing evidence was very low in quality, based on the GRADE methodology. Further high‐quality studies are required to understand the relationship between imaging and shoulder symptoms and to determine the appropriate role of imaging in care pathways.

Development and evaluation of oral Cancer quality-of-life questionnaire (QOL-OC)

Background

In this study scales and items for the Oral Cancer Quality-of-life Questionnaire (QOL-OC) were designed and the instrument was evaluated.

Methods

The QOL-OC was developed and modified using the international definition of quality of life (QOL) promulgated by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and analysis of the precedent measuring instruments. The contents of each item were determined in the context of the specific characteristics of oral cancer. Two hundred thirteen oral cancer patients were asked to complete both the EORTC core quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLC-C30) and the QOL-OC. Data collected was used to conduct factor analysis, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity.

Results

Questionnaire compliance was relatively high. Fourteen of the 213 subjects accepted the same tests after 24 to 48 h demonstrating a high test-retest reliability for all five scales. Overall internal consistency surpasses 0.8. The outcome of the factor analysis coincides substantially with our theoretical conception. Each item shows a higher correlation coefficient within its own scale than the others which indicates high construct validity.

Conclusions

QOL-OC demonstrates fairly good statistical reliability, validity, and feasibility. However, further tests and modification are needed to ensure its applicability to the quality-of-life assessment of Chinese oral cancer patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4378-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Racial differences in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among non-Hispanic black and white males identified through the National Cancer Database (1998-2012)

PURPOSE

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) incidence is increasing, and evidence suggests survival disparities between non-Hispanic (nH) black and white males. However, temporal changes in HNSCCs and factors contributing to survival differences have not been examined at the national level.

METHODS

National Cancer Database (NCDB) cases were used to evaluate temporal trends in HNSCC anatomical sites and site groupings (i.e., oral cavity, oropharyngeal, non-oropharyngeal), and to estimate incidence ratios (IRs) comparing nH black and white males in demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2012, 18,443 (11 %) nH black males and 145,611 (89 %) nH white males were diagnosed with HNSCCs. Cases rose from 9094 diagnosed in 1998 to 13,838 in 2012, driven by increases in oropharyngeal tumors, particularly tumors of the tonsil and tongue. Annual percent changes in nH black males and nH white males were 1.93 and 3.17, respectively. Additionally, nH black males had higher incidence of the more aggressive non-oropharyngeal tumors (p < .0001) and distant-stage tumors (76 vs. 64 %, p < .0001). However, nH white males had higher incidence of high-risk HPV types (IRs range from 1.68, 95 % CI 1.50-1.88 in oropharyngeal tumors to 3.03, 95 % CI 1.11-8.25 in non-oropharyngeal tumors).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of oropharyngeal tumors has risen in both nH black and white males. However, nH white males have higher incidence of HPV, and nH black males have higher incidence of more aggressive and advanced HNSCCs. Racial differences in clinical characteristics associated with poorer survival exist, and future studies should determine factors associated with these differences.

Body image: a critical psychosocial issue for patients with head and neck cancer

Increasing attention is being given to evaluating and treating body image difficulties of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Head and neck cancer significantly alters physical appearance and bodily functioning and therefore directly impacts body image. Research involving body image in head and neck cancer patients is growing, and this review considers published findings from 2013 to 2014. Primary attention is given to discussing recent advancements in body image assessment, qualitative studies, descriptive research, and psychosocial intervention studies relevant to body image. Limitations and necessary advancements in this field are noted, and a commentary is provided on the state of the current literature.