Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A clinic-supported group exercise program for head and neck cancer survivors: managing cancer and treatment side effects to improve quality of life

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the evaluation of this clinic-supported 12-week progressive strength-training program was to assess the feasibility and impact of an exercise intervention for head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Methods

Recruitment and adherence feasibility, as well as health-related fitness measures and patient-reported symptom management were assessed on the 21 HNC survivors in the exercise program.

Results

Overall, this program was feasible, as indicated by recruitment, adherence, and safety outcomes. Survivors experienced improved acute symptom management over the period of one exercise class for tiredness, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and overall wellbeing. Over the course of the program, survivors experienced significant improvements in physical functioning outcomes and improved management of tiredness and fatigue.

Conclusions

A progressive strength-training program is feasible for HNC survivors on and following treatment and is associated with improved acute and chronic fitness outcomes and symptom management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Penedo FJ, Traeger L, Benedict C, Thomas G, Dahn JR, Krause MH, Goodwin J (2011) Perceived social support as a predictor of disease-specific quality of life in head-and-neck cancer patients. J Support Oncol. doi:10.1016/j.suponc.2011.09.002

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Gritz E, Carmack C, Moor C, Coscarelli A, Schacherer C, Meyers E, Abemayor E (1999) First year after head and neck cancer: quality of life. J Clin Oncol 17(1):352–360

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Langendijk J, Doornaert P, Leeuw I, Leemans C, Aaronson N, Slotman B (2008) Impact of late treatment-related toxicity on quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. J Clin Oncol 26(22):3770–3776

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Epstein J, Emerton S, Kolbinson D, Le N, Phillips N, Stevenson-Moore P, Osoba D (1999) Quality of life and oral function following radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Head Neck 21:1–11

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Givens D, Karnell L, Gupta A, Clamon G, Pagedar N, Chang K, Van Daele D, Funk G (2009) Adverse events associated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 135(12):1209–1217

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Luckett T, Britton B, Clover K, Rankin N (2011) Evidence for interventions to improve psychological outcomes in people with head and neck cancer: a systematic review of the literature. Support Cancer Care 19:871–881

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lydiatt W, Moran J, Burke W (2009) A review of depression in the head and neck cancer patient. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 7(6):397–403

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Pulte D, Brenner H (2010) Changes in survival in head and neck cancers in the late 20th and early 21st century: a period analysis. Oncologist 15:994–1001

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Schmitz K, Ahmed R, Hannan P, Yee D (2005) Safety and efficacy of weight training in recent breast cancer survivors to alter body composition, insulin and insulin-like growth factor axis proteins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14:1672–1680

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. McNeely M, Parliament M, Courneya K, Seikaly H, Jha N, Scrimger R, Hanson J (2004) A pilot study of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of progressive resistance exercise training on shoulder dysfunction caused by spinal accessory neurapraxia/neurectomy in head and neck cancer survivors. Head Neck 26:518–530

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Rogers L, Courneya K, Robbins K, Malone J, Seiz A, Koch L, Rao K, Nagarkar M (2006) Physical activity and quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 14:1012–1019

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. McNeely M, Parliament M, Seikaly H, Jha N, Magee D, Haykowshi M, Courneya K (2008) Effect of exercise on upper extremity pain and dysfunction in head and neck cancer survivors. Cancer 113:214–222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rogers L, Courneya K, Robbins K, Malone J, Seiz A, Koch L, Rao K (2008) Physical activity correlates and barriers in head and neck cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 16:19–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Eades M, Murphy J, Carney S, Amdouni S, Lemoignan J, Jelowicki M, Nadler M, Chasen M, Gagnon B (2012) Effect of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: review of clinical experience. Head Neck. doi:10.1002/hed.22972

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Rogers LQ, Anton PM, Fogleman A, Hopkins-Price P, Verhulst S, Rao K, Malone J, Robbs T, Courneya K, Nanavati P, Mansfield S, Robbins T (2012) Pilot, randomized trial of resistance exercise during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Head Neck. doi:10.1002/HED

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lonbro S, Dalgas U, Primdahl H, Overgaard J, Overgaard K (2012) Feasibility and efficacy of progressive resistance training and dietary supplements in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients—the DAHANCA 25A study. Acta Oncol 52(2):1–13. doi:10.3109/0284196X.2012.741325

    Google Scholar 

  17. de Boer M, Pruyn J, van den Borne B, Knegt P, Ryckman R, Verwoerd C (1995) Rehabilitation outcomes of long-term survivors treated for head and neck cancer. Head Neck 17:503–515

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Olson M, Shedd D (1978) Disability and rehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients after treatment. Head Neck Surgery 1:52–58

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Silver H, Dietrick M, Murphy B (2007) Changes in body mass, energy balance, physical function and inflammatory state in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation after low-dose induction chemotherapy. Head Neck 29:893–900

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Semple C, Dunwoody L, Kernohan W, McCaughan E (2008) Development and evaluation of a problem-focused psychosocial intervention for patients with head and neck cancer. Support Cancer Care 17:379–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. National Comprehensive Cancer Network: NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Retrieved January 2013. http://www.nccn.org/clinical.asp

  22. Lau D (2007) Synopsis of the 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the management and prevention of obesity in adults and children. Can Med Assoc J 176(8):1103–1106, Retrieved November 11, 2011, from CBCA Reference and Current Events. (Document ID: 1260001151)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness & Lifestyle Approach (CPAFLA) (2003) CSEP-health & fitness program’s health-related appraisal and counselling strategy. CSEP, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rikli R, Jones J (2001) Senior fitness test manual. Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics. p 58–76

  25. Ringash J, O’Sullivan B, Bezjak A, Redelmeier DA (2007) Interpreting clinically significant changes in patient reported outcomes. Cancer 110:196–202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Wise RA, Brown CD (2005) Minimal clinically important difference in six-minute walk test and the incremental shuttle walking test. Journal Chronic Obstructive Pulm Dis 2:125–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lonbro S, Dalgas U, Primdahl H, Johansen J, Nielsen JL, Aagaard P, Hermann AP, Overgaard J, Overgaard K (2013) Progressive resistance training rebuilds lean body mass in head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy—results from the randomized DAHANCA 25B trail. Radiother Oncol 108:314–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ross-Zahavich AN, Robinson JA, Paskevich D, Culos-Reed SN (2012) Examining a therapeutic yoga program for prostate cancer survivors. Integr Cancer Ther 12(2):1–13. doi:10.1177/1534735412446862

    Google Scholar 

  29. McAuley E, Jerome G, Marquez D, Elavsky S, Blissmer B (2003) Self-efficacy in older adults: social, affective, and behavioural influences. Ann Behav Med 25(1):1–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Midtgaard J, Rossel K, Christensen J, Uth J, Adamsen L, Rorth M (2012) Demonstration and manifestation of self-determination and illness resistance—a qualitative study of long-term maintenance of physical activity in posttreatment cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 20:1999–2008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Capozzi LC, Lau H, Reimer RA, McNeely M, Giese-Davis J, Culos-Reed N (2012) Exercise and nutrition for head and neck cancer patients: a patient oriented, clinic-supported randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer 12(1):446

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported as part of a larger study (Evaluation of Screening for Distress and an Integrated Symptom Relief Service for Cancer Survivors—Dr. Barry D. Bultz, PI), supported by a grant from the Advisory Committee of Research, Alberta Cancer Board and Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, KNB 2229 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Lauren C. Capozzi, Kevin R. Boldt & S. Nicole Culos-Reed

  2. Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    Harold Lau, Barry Bultz & S. Nicole Culos-Reed

  3. Department of Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada

    Harold Lau & Lisa Shirt

  4. Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada

    Barry Bultz & S. Nicole Culos-Reed

Authors
  1. Lauren C. Capozzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kevin R. Boldt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Harold Lau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lisa Shirt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Barry Bultz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S. Nicole Culos-Reed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Nicole Culos-Reed.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 113 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Capozzi, L.C., Boldt, K.R., Lau, H. et al. A clinic-supported group exercise program for head and neck cancer survivors: managing cancer and treatment side effects to improve quality of life. Support Care Cancer 23, 1001–1007 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2436-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2436-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation