Swallowing Intervention Package (SIP)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving quality of life and swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer: Development and feasibility of a Swallowing Intervention Package (SIP)
IRAS ID
163779
Contact name
Mary Wells
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 29 days
Research summary
Due to increasing incidence, more intensive treatment and improved survival, a growing number of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors experience long-term swallowing difficulties, profoundly affecting eating/drinking, increasing feeding tube dependence and risk of aspiration (food/fluid entering the airway) and significantly reducing quality of life.
Some evidence suggests that swallowing exercises can improve outcomes in HNC patients undergoing combined treatment with chemo-radiotherapy. However, many questions remain about the timing, selection and duration of exercises as well as their practicality and feasibility in the UK.
This study will develop a practical Swallowing Intervention Package(SIP),in partnership with patients and speech and language therapists, paying particular attention to assessing adherence and fidelity. The study will be conducted in two phases. This application relates to the first phase. In this phase, focus groups and consensus workshops will be conducted with patients, carers and health care professionals, in order to develop the intervention. Phase 2 will involve a feasibility study using qualitative and quantitative methods to examine treatment fidelity, adherence to and impact of the SIP on quality of life, swallowing outcomes and service use, in order to inform a future trial.REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1168
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion