Treatment With the Shaker Head‐Lift Exercise in Head and Neck Cancer Patients With Radiation‐Induced Dysphagia: 12‐Month Results on Swallowing Function From a Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a common side-effect after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. This randomized study aimed to evaluate the effect of the shaker head-lift exercise (HLE) after 12 months with flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 30) or the control (n = 31) group. The primary outcome was change according to the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included change according to the dynamic imaging grade of swallowing toxicity for flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (DIGEST-FEES) at 8 weeks and 12 months. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the change in the PAS score from baseline to 12 months. Swallowing safety improved significantly in the control group at the 8-week follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The HLE does not seem to improve swallowing function in individuals with radiation-induced dysphagia.