Publications by authors named "Alice Vergauwen"

Dysphagia is a prevalent complication before, during and after treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). Besides the medical and societal consequences, dysphagia has a negative impact on functioning, activity, participation and quality of life. These aspects are all affected by the environmental factors (EF).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prophylactic swallowing exercises (PSE) during head-and-neck cancer (HNC) (chemo)radiotherapy (CRT) have a positive effect on swallowing function and muscle strength. Adherence rates to PSE are, however, moderate to low, undermining these effects. PRESTO already showed that the service-delivery mode (SDM), the way the exercises are offered, can influence adherence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Chronic radiation-associated dysphagia (C-RAD) significantly affects head and neck cancer survivors' quality of life after radiation therapy, highlighting the need for effective management strategies.* -
  • A multicenter trial will compare three groups: those doing only strengthening exercises, those combining strengthening with functional swallowing therapy, and those with added non-invasive brain stimulation, involving 105 C-RAD patients.* -
  • The study aims to enhance understanding of rehabilitation techniques for C-RAD and improve swallowing function after treatment, with evaluations conducted before, during, and after the therapy.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Prophylactic swallowing exercises (PSE) during radiotherapy can significantly reduce dysphagia after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer (HNC). However, its positive effects are hampered by low adherence rates during the burdensome therapy period. Hence, the main goal of this multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to investigate the effect of 3 different service-delivery modes on actual patients' adherence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF