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IFHNOS 2026
Rethinking Dysphagia Rehabilitation: Feasibility of a Group-Based Model for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

9:50 am

29 August 2026

Mezzanine M1

Concurrent Session: Pathways and Models of Care

Themes

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Talk Description

Institution: Chris O'Brien Lifehouse - NSW, Australia

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of delivering intensive group-based dysphagia therapy for patients with chronic dysphagia following treatment for head and neck cancer. Methodology: Adults who were ≥ 6 months post treatment with persistent oropharyngeal dysphagia were recruited to an intensive group dysphagia therapy program. Groups of 6 participants attended weekly 2-hour sessions for nine consecutive weeks. Rehabilitation followed principles of McNeil Dysphagia Therapy, incorporating high intensity, task specific swallowing practice within a peer supported environment. Feasibility outcomes include recruitment rates, retention, adherence and intervention fidelity. Clinician-rated and patient reported outcome measures are collected pre-and post-intervention. A post-program focus group explores patient perceptions, facilitators and barriers to participation. Results Data collection is ongoing and will be completed by May 2026. Feasibility metrics, preliminary outcome, and thematic analysis of patient experiences will be available and presented at the conference. Conclusion The study addresses the need for a scalable, intensive dysphagia rehabilitation model for head and neck cancer survivors. Findings will inform whether group-based therapy is a feasible and acceptable alternative to traditional one-to-one care in oncology settings.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

Ms Briony Adshead - , Dr Emma Charters - , Prof Jonathan Clark -