Physiological Flow of Liquids in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study

Completed

Interventions: Other: Starch-based Thickened Liquids
Other: Xanthan-gum Thickened Liquids

Brief Summary: This study is part of a larger grant, for which the overall goal is to collect measurements of liquid flow through the oropharynx (i.e., mouth and throat) during swallowing. The focus of this study is to evaluate the flow of liquids of varying consistency in the head and neck cancer population.

Detailed Description: Thickened liquids are commonly used as an intervention for dysphagia (swallowing impairment). However, the field lacks a clear understanding of how liquids of different consistencies behave during swallowing. In order to improve understanding of the effectiveness of altered liquid consistency for improving dysphagia, the investigators are studying liquid flow through the oropharynx.

This study explores this question in individuals who have undergone radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, specifically located in the oropharynx.

Participants will swallow 20% w/v barium thickened to different consistencies (thin, slightly thick, and mildly thick) using commercially available food thickeners. Swallowing will be observed under videofluoroscopy.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

An initial cancer diagnosis of cancer in the base of tongue region of the oropharynx (Tumor staging T2,T3 & T4; Nodal staging N0 orN1; Human Papilloma Virus + or -).
Completion of bilateral radiation therapy to the neck 3 months prior to enrollment
No longer requiring primary enteral feeding for nutrition.

Exclusion Criteria

Prior history of swallowing, motor speech, gastro#esophageal difficulties, chronic sinusitis or taste disturbance.
Previous radiation to the head and neck (prior to current illness);
Previous cancer diagnosis;
Prior or planned neck dissection;
Trachestomy in situ;
Neurological difficulties unrelated to spinal disorder (e.g. Stroke, Parkinson disease, etc).
Cognitive communication difficulties that may hinder ability to participate.
Current use of mechanical ventilation
Type 1 Diabetes (due to the requirement to swallow stimuli containing starch based thickeners, which carry a significant carbohydrate load).
Known allergies to latex, food coloring or dental glue (due to the probability that these items will come into contact with the oral mucosa during data collection).
Occupational exposure to radiation exceeding 10 mSv in the past 6 months.
Current pregnancy.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Adults with oropharyngeal cancer	Xanthan-gum Thickened Liquids	Adult participants who have completed radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer within the past 3 months will undergo a swallowing x-ray study in which they will swallow up to 15 liquid stimuli prepared to different consistencies using starch and gum based thickeners.
Adults with oropharyngeal cancer	Starch-based Thickened Liquids	Adult participants who have completed radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer within the past 3 months will undergo a swallowing x-ray study in which they will swallow up to 15 liquid stimuli prepared to different consistencies using starch and gum based thickeners.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Unsafe Swallowing	Baseline (single timepoint only)	Swallowing safety was measured using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale, an 8-point categorical scale which captures the depth to which any material enters the airway and whether or not the material is ejected. Levels 1 and 2 on the scale are considered safe, while levels \> 2 are considered unsafe. Actual scale scores (1-8) will be recorded and then converted to binary categorical scores (\< 3 vs \>/= 3). We will report the frequency (count) of participants showing scores \> 2 by bolus consistency.
Amount of Residue in the Pharynx	Baseline (single timepoint only)	Residue is material remaining behind in the pharynx after the swallow. We measured residue by tracing the area of barium visible on a lateral view x-ray (in pixels, using ImageJ software) and dividing that area by the squared length C2-C4 cervical spine. This cervical spine scalar provides a common anatomical reference that is a proxy for pharyngeal size, and enables the comparison of residue severity across different people with different neck length and pharynx size. In healthy swallowing, residue is expected to be minimal. We report mean values and standard deviations for amount of residue by consistency (thin, slightly thick, and mildly thick liquids).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants Reporting Dislike of Thickened Liquid Stimuli	Baseline (single timepoint only)	Participants rated the palatability of lemon flavored water and liquid barium stimuli in slightly thick, mildly thick and moderately thick consistencies. Palatability was scored using a 9-point hedonic categorical rating system previously described by Pelletier et al. The ratings use 9 descriptors to capture the degree to which a participant likes a stimulus, with anchors of "Dislike extremely" and "Like extremely". Scores of 1-4 indicate liking of a stimulus, a score of 5 is neutral while scores of 6-9 indicate dislike. We dichotomized this scale between scores of 1-4 (liking) and scores of 5-9 and report the number of participants reporting scores of 6-9 (dislike).