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IFHNOS 2026
Developing a rehabilitation pathway for managing late-stage radiation associated dysphagia: a pilot case-series
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

10:05 am

28 August 2026

Mezzanine M1

Concurrent Session: Allied Health and Abstracts

Themes

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Talk Description

Institution: Prince of Wales Hospital - New South Wales, Australia

Progressive decline of swallowing function long-term post radiotherapy (+/-surgery) for head and neck cancer (HNC) – known as late radiation associated dysphagia (Late-RAD) - is a significant issue that often goes undetected and untreated due to unclear pathways for diagnosis and rehabilitation. This case-series aims to demonstrate the feasibility, acceptability and clinical effectiveness of a new model of care for delivering dysphagia rehabilitation to patients with late-RAD. Patients previously treated with radiation undergo a Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) at annual oncological reviews. Patients with at least moderate dysphagia are referred for 8 weeks of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST). Pre and post therapy outcomes include the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) and Penetration Aspiration Score (PAS). Therapy adherence is tracked with compliance diaries. Across 12 months, 104 patients completed FEES. Of the 10 who met eligibility for EMST, 9 agreed to undertake rehabilitation. By the time of the conference, data for all 9 participants will be complete. However, at abstract submission, 3/9 patients have completed EMST rehabilitation. All showed improved PAS and overall DIGEST scores and required fewer compensatory swallowing strategies post treatment. MDADI scores either improved or remained stable. Adherence to protocol was 100%. All participants wanted to continue therapy due to perceived benefit. One patient transitioned off thickened to thin fluids. This case-series suggests this model of care is feasible to support detection and rehabilitation for patients with late-RAD. Although only pilot data, results demonstrate evidence for patient acceptability and impacts of treatment are consistent with early published evidence for clinical effectiveness. This approach may enhance survivorship care for HNC patients and inform future large scale efficacy studies.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Miss Rachel Walker - , Prof Elizabeth Ward - , Mrs Rachelle Robinson - , Mrs Emma Stradling - , Dr Molly Barnhart - , Dr Wenchang Wong - , A/Prof Michael Jackson -