1010 - The Effect of Quantitative Goal Exercise Combined with Whole Process Refined Nutrition Management on the Nutritional Status and Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: An Open-Label, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Purpose/Objective(s):

The prevalence of malnutrition in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients at diagnosis ranges from 42% to 77% and worsens throughout the treatment course, with rates rising up to 88%. Malnutrition contributes to ineffective treatment responses, impaired functional performance, reduced quality of life, and significantly lower survival rates. the aim of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of quantitative goal exercise (QGE) combined with whole process refined nutrition management (WP-RNM) on the nutritional status and quality of life of head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Materials/Methods:

A total of 111 HNC patients were randomly assigned into two groups: QGE+WP-RNM group (n=54) and control group (n=57). The control group received conventional interventions and the QGE+WP-RNM group received a 6-week quantitative goal exercise (limb resistance exercise combined with aerobic exercise, including aerobic exercise, jogging, cycling, aerobics, etc.) on the basis of the whole process refined nutrition management. Nutritional status and quality of life of the participants were assessed before intervention, during intervention, and after intervention by several measurement tools, namely, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)-derived scores, anthropometric measurements, hematological determination and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire QLQ-C30 (Trial Registration: ChiCTR2300071214).

Results:

At the end of trial, there was no statistically significance in the PG-SGA and BMI between the QGE+WP-RNM group and control group. Delta changes (?) comparisons showed the increase in PG-SGA and BMI of the QGE+WP-RNM group was lower than that in control group. The total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin levels in the QGE+WP-RNM group showed no obvious changes from those in the control group (all p > 0.05). Delta changes (?) comparisons showed the decrease in hemoglobin and total protein of the QGE+WP-RNM group were lower than that in control group at 5 weeks of intervention (p < 0.05). The QGE+WP-RNM group had significantly greater arm circumference, triceps skin fold thickness, and calf circumference (p < 0.05). At 3weeks of intervention, the scores of physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, quality of life, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, appetite loss, and constipation were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

QGE combined with WP-RNM significantly improved the nutritional status and quality of life of HNC patients with radiotherapy compared to conventional interventions.