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Published on: April 20, 2018
Effects of exercise on head and neck cancer surgery: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Ece Ekici1, Ümit Yüzbaşıoğlu2, Mehmet Özkeskin3
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Toros University, Mersin, 33140, Turkey. ece.ekici@toros.edu.tr.
Purpose:
Understanding and optimizing exercise programs for individuals undergoing head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery is essential for improving postoperative quality of life. This review aims to examine the effects of exercise and physiotherapy interventions on various outcomes in individuals who have undergone HNC surgery.
Methods:
PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials published within the past decade, yielding 14 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.
Results:
Except for one preoperative instruction session, all interventions were implemented postoperatively. The most frequently evaluated outcomes included shoulder, jaw, and swallowing function, as well as postoperative symptoms. Across studies, exercise programs with varying content consistently improved shoulder mobility, swallowing function, and symptom burden.
Conclusion:
Evidence from current studies demonstrates that exercise interventions contribute to improved functional outcomes and reduced symptom burden, supporting their inclusion as a core component of standard care in patients who have undergone head and neck cancer surgery.
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