A Comprehensive Approach to Head and Neck Cancer Prehabilitation

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cancer of Head and Neck

In brief

Head and neck cancer accounts for 3% of malignancies in the United States. However, the diagnosis and treatment for head and neck cancer is considered to be debilitating. Not because of its morbidity, but due to the extremely rigorous treatment course which has a profound impact on patients physical, social, and emotional functioning. Disfigurement and sensorimotor deficits further compound this impact. Head and neck cancer patients contend with treatments that can significantly affect their quality of life. Treatment regularly results in decreased functional capacity and decreased quality of life. Physical impairments are manifested through, but not limited to, disfigurement, deconditioning, communication issues, "swallowing, speech, breathing, and cancer-related fatigue". Premorbid factors such as preexisting anxiety and depression, chemical dependency, financial barriers, and lack of social support system are unique obstacles to the head and neck cancer population impacting treatment and outcomes. Due to these factors, patients experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, psychological distress, and fear of cancer recurrence. In fact, "compared with other survivors of cancer, head and neck cancer survivors are almost 2 times more likely to die from suicide". In view of the aforementioned research, Roger Maris Cancer Center's head and neck cancer will implement a prehabilitation program that evaluates each patient using standardized screening tools and provide personalized education and interventions. This project evaluates a more comprehensive and proactive multidisciplinary approach to improve treatment and outcomes in head and neck cancer patients.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04617678

Run by

Sanford Health

People needed

80

Starts

2021-10-21

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-01-16

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Equal to or greater than 18 years of age
• Diagnosis of head and neck cancer
• Actively pursuing cancer treatment with a curative intent
• Willing and able to provide written consent

You may not qualify if…

• Patients with cardiac arrhythmia with implanted pacemaker
• Patients with other implanted electronic equipment/device
• Patients undergoing external defibrillation
• Pregnant women (per BIS instructions for use, pregnant women should not participate)
• Patient weight exceeding 375 lbs.
• Patient has a metal allergy

Where it is running

• Sanford Health — Fargo, North Dakota, United States
• Sanford Health — Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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