Swallow Exercise as Prophylaxis of Dysphagia After Radiotherapy

Swallow Exercise as Prophylaxis of Dysphagia After Radiotherapy

Background: Dysphagia is a common side effect after radiotherapy for haed and neck cancer patients. It may be worsened by immobility of the throat during tube feeding. Hypothesis: Exercises may prevent or reduce late dysphagia. Method: Phase I study to identify the tolerated intensity of exercises and establish the method of measuring training intensity and dysphagia measurement. Endpoint: Objective dysphagia using VF and FEESST. The HN swallowing and HN pain endpoint of EORTC H&N35 questionnaire. Weight loss, duration of tube feeding.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Head and neck cancer
• Planned curative radiotherapy
• Planned irradiation of level II+III lymph nodes >46 Gy
• >=18 y
• Speaks and reads Danish
• No previous Surgery to the head and neck area except biopsies

Exclusion Criteria:

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