Publications by authors named "Polymnia Nikolaidis"

Background: Trismus is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer but its impact on survival is unknown.

Aims/objectives: This prospective study evaluates the incidence of trismus in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy and the impact of trismus on 5-year overall survival.

Material And Methods: Two hundred forty-four patients with head and neck cancer were included.

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Conclusions: No positive effects of early preventive rehabilitation could be identified. The results do not contradict the proposition that rehabilitation based on self-care can be effective but it is important to establish evidence-based training programs and identify proper instruments for selection of patients and evaluation of intervention.

Objectives: Patients with head and neck cancer suffer from functional impairments due to intense treatment.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to show the investigated impact of supraomohyoidal neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection, both combined with radiotherapy, on cervical range of motion (CROM), mouth opening, swallowing, lymphedema, and shoulder function.

Methods: One hundred eight patients who had neck dissections and 98 patients who had non-neck dissections were evaluated in a prospective, nonselective, longitudinal cohort study by a physiotherapist and a speech-language pathologist (SLP) before the start of radiotherapy and up to 12 months after treatment.

Results: The incidence of shoulder disability after neck dissection was 18%.

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