Prophylactic Home-Based Exercises During Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
Home-based exercise program preserves swallowing and neck mobility during head-neck radiotherapy
In a randomized trial of 24 patients, those who performed a daily swallowing, posture and neck-movement routine maintained their Swallowing Quality of Life scores, while controls showed a marked decline, and they also kept neck tilt and full cervical range of motion. Facial edema did not increase, indicating the regimen is safe and supports early prehabilitation in radiotherapy patients.
- Journal
- Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Q1)
- Published
- 13 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Burak Erturk, Mehmet Düzlü, Özge P Erpolat, İlke Keser
- PMID
- 42732471
- DOI
- 10.1002/ohn.70442
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Otorhinolaryngology (top studies of the week, 20 September 2026): RCT shows home exercise preserves swallowing during RT
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of a prophylactic, home-based exercise program administered concomitantly with radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer to preserve swallowing function, postural alignment, and cervical range of motion, while assessing lymphedema safety. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinics of an academic university hospital. METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer were allocated to an exercise group (n = 12; receiving a swallowing, posture, range of motion, and strengthening protocol) or a control group (n = 12; receiving standard care). Baseline and postradiotherapy outcomes were assessed using the Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire, photogrammetric posture analysis, digital goniometry for cervical mobility, and circumference measurements for lymphedema. RESULTS: Swallowing Quality of Life was maintained in the exercise group but deteriorated significantly in controls (P < .001). The exercise group significantly preserved neck lateral tilt compared to controls (P < .001). Furthermore, the intervention group demonstrated significant preservation of cervical flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion (P < .05). Facial edema metrics increased slightly in both groups with no significant inter-group differences, confirming intervention safety (P > .05). High adherence rates were reported. CONCLUSION: A prophylactic, home-based exercise program is a safe and effective strategy to mitigate functional decline in patients undergoing radiotherapy. The intervention preserves swallowing, posture, and cervical mobility without exacerbating lymphedema, supporting early prehabilitation in oncological care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07376213.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.