Rehabilitation Outcomes of Shoulder Function in Oral Cancer Survivors Cancer Survivors

Head and neck cancer is prevalent in Taiwan, and oral cancer is the most common location. Advanced treatment of oral cancer increases survival rates; however, it also increases the risk of developing shoulder dysfunction, dysphagia, oral dysfunction, donor site morbidity and psychological issues. The probability of shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection is as high as 70%. Rehabilitation effects on shoulder function for head and neck survivors are needed for further studied.The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to explore the effects of rehabilitation for shoulder function in oral cancer survivors.

Head and neck cancer is prevalent in Taiwan, and oral cancer is the most common location. Advanced treatment of oral cancer increases survival rates; however, it also increases the risk of developing shoulder dysfunction, dysphagia, oral dysfunction, donor site morbidity and psychological issues. The probability of shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection is as high as 70%. Rehabilitation effects on shoulder function for head and neck survivors are needed for further studied. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to explore the effects of rehabilitation for shoulder function in oral cancer survivors. We will recruit 60 newly diagnosed oral cancer subjects through the plastic surgeon's referral from April 2018 to March 2020. The participants will be randomized separated into experimental or control group. Each group would receive regular physical therapy for shoulder function (i.e., transcutaneous electrical stimulation, shoulder joint range of motion exercise, scapular muscle strengthening training). Experimental group would be supplemented by motor control therapy targeting the scapular muscle progressive resistance exercise (exercise plus manual therapy).

measurement for the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and serrates anterior at the moment of SEMG

measure the muscle activities of the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and serrates anterior

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-H&N35

Inclusion Criteria: Willing to sign the inform consent Sufficiently communicate in the Chinese language Be able to follow instructions Newly diagnosed oral cancer Spinal accessory shoulder dysfunction Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant or breast-feeding woman Cognitively impaired Central nervous disease Distant metastasis or recurrence A history of shoulder pain or known shoulder pathology Unable to communicate or comprehend the questionnaires

Wong CH, Wei FC. Microsurgical free flap in head and neck reconstruction. Head Neck. 2010 Sep;32(9):1236-45. doi: 10.1002/hed.21284.

Lutz BS, Wei FC. Microsurgical workhorse flaps in head and neck reconstruction. Clin Plast Surg. 2005 Jul;32(3):421-30, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2005.02.006.

Neligan PC. Head and neck reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013 Feb;131(2):260e-269e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182778938.

Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, Logemann JA, Discekici-Harris M, Mittal BB. Comparison of swallowing function after intensity-modulated radiation therapy and conventional radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Head Neck. 2015 Nov;37(11):1575-82. doi: 10.1002/hed.23796. Epub 2014 Aug 1.

Sheikh A, Shallwani H, Ghaffar S. Postoperative shoulder function after different types of neck dissection in head and neck cancer. Ear Nose Throat J. 2014 Apr-May;93(4-5):E21-6.

van der Molen L, van Rossum MA, Burkhead LM, Smeele LE, Rasch CR, Hilgers FJ. A randomized preventive rehabilitation trial in advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy: feasibility, compliance, and short-term effects. Dysphagia. 2011 Jun;26(2):155-70. doi: 10.1007/s00455-010-9288-y. Epub 2010 Jul 11.

Eades M, Murphy J, Carney S, Amdouni S, Lemoignan J, Jelowicki M, Nadler M, Chasen M, Gagnon B. Effect of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: review of clinical experience. Head Neck. 2013 Mar;35(3):343-9. doi: 10.1002/hed.22972. Epub 2012 Mar 16.

McGarvey AC, Osmotherly PG, Hoffman GR, Chiarelli PE. Impact of neck dissection on scapular muscle function: a case-controlled electromyographic study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Jan;94(1):113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.07.017. Epub 2012 Aug 1.

Hsieh LC, Chen JW, Wang LY, Tsang YM, Shueng PW, Liao LJ, Lo WC, Lin YC, Tseng CF, Kuo YS, Jhuang JY, Tien HJ, Juan HF, Hsieh CH. Predicting the severity and prognosis of trismus after intensity-modulated radiation therapy for oral cancer patients by magnetic resonance imaging. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 21;9(3):e92561. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092561. eCollection 2014.

Wetzels JW, Merkx MA, de Haan AF, Koole R, Speksnijder CM. Maximum mouth opening and trismus in 143 patients treated for oral cancer: a 1-year prospective study. Head Neck. 2014 Dec;36(12):1754-62. doi: 10.1002/hed.23534. Epub 2014 Jan 30.

Lee R, Slevin N, Musgrove B, Swindell R, Molassiotis A. Prediction of post-treatment trismus in head and neck cancer patients. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2012 Jun;50(4):328-32. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2011.06.009. Epub 2011 Jul 26.

Stubblefield MD. Radiation fibrosis syndrome: neuromuscular and musculoskeletal complications in cancer survivors. PM R. 2011 Nov;3(11):1041-54. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2011.08.535.

Chan JY, Lua LL, Starmer HH, Sun DQ, Rosenblatt ES, Gourin CG. The relationship between depressive symptoms and initial quality of life and function in head and neck cancer. Laryngoscope. 2011 Jun;121(6):1212-8. doi: 10.1002/lary.21788. Epub 2011 May 3.

EWING MR, MARTIN H. Disability following radical neck dissection; an assessment based on the postoperative evaluation of 100 patients. Cancer. 1952 Sep;5(5):873-83. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(195209)5:53.0.co;2-4. No abstract available.

Carr SD, Bowyer D, Cox G. Upper limb dysfunction following selective neck dissection: a retrospective questionnaire study. Head Neck. 2009 Jun;31(6):789-92. doi: 10.1002/hed.21018.

Dijkstra PU, van Wilgen PC, Buijs RP, Brendeke W, de Goede CJ, Kerst A, Koolstra M, Marinus J, Schoppink EM, Stuiver MM, van de Velde CF, Roodenburg JL. Incidence of shoulder pain after neck dissection: a clinical explorative study for risk factors. Head Neck. 2001 Nov;23(11):947-53. doi: 10.1002/hed.1137.

Erisen L, Basel B, Irdesel J, Zarifoglu M, Coskun H, Basut O, Tezel I, Hizalan I, Onart S. Shoulder function after accessory nerve-sparing neck dissections. Head Neck. 2004 Nov;26(11):967-71. doi: 10.1002/hed.20095.

Lima LP, Amar A, Lehn CN. Spinal accessory nerve neuropathy following neck dissection. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Mar-Apr;77(2):259-62. doi: 10.1590/s1808-86942011000200017.

Umeda M, Shigeta T, Takahashi H, Oguni A, Kataoka T, Minamikawa T, Shibuya Y, Komori T. Shoulder mobility after spinal accessory nerve-sparing modified radical neck dissection in oral cancer patients. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2010 Jun;109(6):820-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2009.11.027. Epub 2010 Mar 17.

Ishigaki T, Yamanaka M, Hirokawa M, Tai K, Ezawa Y, Samukawa M, Tohyama H, Sugawara M. Rehabilitation Exercises to Induce Balanced Scapular Muscle Activity in an Anti-gravity Posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Dec;26(12):1871-4. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1871. Epub 2014 Dec 25.

Cools AM, Dewitte V, Lanszweert F, Notebaert D, Roets A, Soetens B, Cagnie B, Witvrouw EE. Rehabilitation of scapular muscle balance: which exercises to prescribe? Am J Sports Med. 2007 Oct;35(10):1744-51. doi: 10.1177/0363546507303560. Epub 2007 Jul 2.

Andersen CH, Zebis MK, Saervoll C, Sundstrup E, Jakobsen MD, Sjogaard G, Andersen LL. Scapular muscle activity from selected strengthening exercises performed at low and high intensities. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Sep;26(9):2408-16. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823f8d24.

Cricchio M, Frazer C. Scapulothoracic and scapulohumeral exercises: a narrative review of electromyographic studies. J Hand Ther. 2011 Oct-Dec;24(4):322-33; quiz 334. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2011.06.001. Epub 2011 Aug 5.

Worsley P, Warner M, Mottram S, Gadola S, Veeger HE, Hermens H, Morrissey D, Little P, Cooper C, Carr A, Stokes M. Motor control retraining exercises for shoulder impingement: effects on function, muscle activation, and biomechanics in young adults. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Apr;22(4):e11-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2012.06.010. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

McGarvey AC, Osmotherly PG, Hoffman GR, Chiarelli PE. Scapular muscle exercises following neck dissection surgery for head and neck cancer: a comparative electromyographic study. Phys Ther. 2013 Jun;93(6):786-97. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20120385. Epub 2013 Feb 21.

McNeely ML, Parliament MB, Seikaly H, Jha N, Magee DJ, Haykowsky MJ, Courneya KS. Effect of exercise on upper extremity pain and dysfunction in head and neck cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2008 Jul 1;113(1):214-22. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23536.

Brown KE, Stickler L. Shoulder pain and dysfunction secondary to neural injury. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Sep;6(3):224-33.

McGarvey AC, Chiarelli PE, Osmotherly PG, Hoffman GR. Physiotherapy for accessory nerve shoulder dysfunction following neck dissection surgery: a literature review. Head Neck. 2011 Feb;33(2):274-80. doi: 10.1002/hed.21366.

Shepherd KL, Fisher SE. Prospective evaluation of quality of life in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer: from diagnosis to three months post-treatment. Oral Oncol. 2004 Aug;40(7):751-7. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2004.01.018.

Schliephake H, Jamil MU. Prospective evaluation of quality of life after oncologic surgery for oral cancer. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002 Aug;31(4):427-33. doi: 10.1054/ijom.2001.0194.

Barrios R, Bravo M, Gil-Montoya JA, Martinez-Lara I, Garcia-Medina B, Tsakos G. Oral and general health-related quality of life in patients treated for oral cancer compared to control group. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2015 Jan 23;13:9. doi: 10.1186/s12955-014-0201-5.

McNeely ML, Parliament MB, Seikaly H, Jha N, Magee DJ, Haykowsky MJ, Courneya KS. Sustainability of outcomes after a randomized crossover trial of resistance exercise for shoulder dysfunction in survivors of head and neck cancer. Physiother Can. 2015 Winter;67(1):85-93. doi: 10.3138/ptc.2014-13O.

Ch'ng S, Oates J, Gao K, Foo K, Davies S, Brunner M, Clark JR. Prospective quality of life assessment between treatment groups for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck. 2014 Jun;36(6):834-40. doi: 10.1002/hed.23387. Epub 2013 Sep 2.

McGarvey AC, Hoffman GR, Osmotherly PG, Chiarelli PE. Maximizing shoulder function after accessory nerve injury and neck dissection surgery: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Head Neck. 2015 Jul;37(7):1022-31. doi: 10.1002/hed.23712. Epub 2014 Jul 11.

Chan JY, Wong ST, Chan RC, Wei WI. Shoulder Dysfunction after Selective Neck Dissection in Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Sep;153(3):379-84. doi: 10.1177/0194599815590589. Epub 2015 Jul 2.

Cranney A, Welch V, Wells G, Adachi J, Shea B, Simon L, Tugwell P. Discrimination of changes in osteoporosis outcomes. J Rheumatol. 2001 Feb;28(2):413-21.

Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Katz JN, Wright JG, Wells G, Boers M, Strand V, Shea B. Looking for important change/differences in studies of responsiveness. OMERACT MCID Working Group. Outcome Measures in Rheumatology. Minimal Clinically Important Difference. J Rheumatol. 2001 Feb;28(2):400-5.

Canis M, Weiss BG, Ihler F, Hummers-Pradier E, Matthias C, Wolff HA. Quality of life in patients after resection of pT3 lateral tongue carcinoma: Microvascular reconstruction versus primary closure. Head Neck. 2016 Jan;38(1):89-94. doi: 10.1002/hed.23862. Epub 2015 Jun 16.

Bjordal K, Hammerlid E, Ahlner-Elmqvist M, de Graeff A, Boysen M, Evensen JF, Biorklund A, de Leeuw JR, Fayers PM, Jannert M, Westin T, Kaasa S. Quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-H&N35. J Clin Oncol. 1999 Mar;17(3):1008-19. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1999.17.3.1008.

Chie WC, Hong RL, Lai CC, Ting LL, Hsu MM. Quality of life in patients of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: validation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-H&N35. Qual Life Res. 2003 Feb;12(1):93-8. doi: 10.1023/a:1022070220328.

Sherman AC, Simonton S, Adams DC, Vural E, Owens B, Hanna E. Assessing quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: cross-validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Head and Neck module (QLQ-H&N35). Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Apr;126(4):459-67. doi: 10.1001/archotol.126.4.459.

Chen YH, Huang CY, Liang WA, Lin CR, Chao YH. Effects of Conscious Control of Scapular Orientation in Oral Cancer Survivors With Scapular Dyskinesis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021 Jan-Dec;20:15347354211040827. doi: 10.1177/15347354211040827.