Prophylactic Intervention for Dysgeusia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Following Radio(Chemo)Therapy

Dysgeusia affects 56-76% of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy, impacting nutrition and quality of life. Standardized assessment and rehabilitation are limited. This study aims to develop and validate a 4-week prophylactic speech-language pathology protocol-including salivary gland massage, internal cryotherapy, and taste training-to preserve taste function. Eighty HNC patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy will be randomized to control (no intervention) or experimental (undergoing the 4-week intervention) groups. Outcomes of both groups will be assessed via clinical scales, sialometry, taste thresholds, and quality-of-life questionnaires at baseline, week 4, and 1, 3-, 6-months and 2 years post (chemo)radiotherapy. The proposed protocol is expected to be feasible in clinical settings, with potential for early detection and prophylactic preservation of taste function in HNC patients.