Effect of Postsurgical Nurse-led Follow-ups on Quality of Life in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Burden of head-and-neck cancer is disproportionately bigger in India and can be regarded as “tip of iceberg” situation. Postoperatively, head-and-neck cancer patients report tremendous challenges conversely, affects quality of their life. Oncology nurses contribute significantly in supportive care issues encountered by patients in the postoperative period. However, there is a paucity of the literature on effect of nurse-led postsurgical education program on quality of life (QOL) of head-and-neck cancer patients. METHODS: In this pilot randomized controlled, parallel group trial, 64 head-and-neck cancer patients; who were electively planned for surgery were randomized in experimental (n(1) = 32) and control group (n(2) = 32). In the experimental group, participants received structured nurse-led postsurgical education program through virtual mode and control group participants received standard of care. The QOL as an outcome variable was assessed through face-to-face interview at baseline on first postoperative day and postoperative day-4, 15, and 30 follow-ups by using standardized instruments, i.e., EORTC QLQ-C30 and H and N35 questionnaire. RESULTS: The experimental group had a significant improvement in global health (P = 0.02), role functioning (P = 0.02), emotional functioning (P = 0.01), swallowing (P = 0.01), and opening mouth (P = 0.02). Postoperative pain and speech problems were most distressing symptoms in participants of both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The nurse-led postsurgical virtual education programme was found effective to improve the selected domains of QOL and may be used as an adjuvant intervention for head-and-neck cancer patients.