Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Investigation of Two Swallowing Therapy Models During Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Study Description

Brief Summary: Vibrent Health is partnering with Stanford Cancer Center to conduct a randomized control trial (RCT) using mobile health technology to enhance adherence and improve swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Detailed Description: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the 6th most common type of cancer in the world and has recently seen a dramatic rise in the United States due to a rise in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV) . The majority of patients diagnosed with HNC receive radiation therapy at some point in their treatment, either in the definitive or post-operative setting. Dysphagia is a common consequence of treatment for HNC, experienced by approximately 50% of patients treated with radiation therapy. Post-treatment dysphagia has been associated with increased risk of morbidity/mortality as well as well-recognized deterioration of quality of life. Performance of swallowing exercises during radiation significantly reduces dysphagia risk; however, patient adherence to swallowing exercises during radiation treatment is limited. Thus, poor adherence stands as a major obstacle to achieving the best swallowing outcomes. In response to this, a mobile health application was developed to directly address barriers cited by patients as reasons for non-adherence. The objective is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the impact of the mobile application on adherence to prophylactic swallowing therapy during radiation for HNC.

Keywords

Eligibility

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Eligible Ages: ADULT, OLDER_ADULT

Sex: ALL

Healthy Volunteers: No

Locations

Contact Details

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