Background: Head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) is common following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment; contributing to long-term functional challenges and poorer overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This systematic review aimed to determine effective components of HNL interventions and identify aspects that facilitated or inhibited engagement.
Methods: Five electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL and Scopus) were searched from 2002 to 2023, supplemented with citation tracking and grey literature. Screening and full-text selection were independently conducted by two researchers. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Vast study heterogeneity led to a narrative synthesis.
Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, incorporating a plethora of HNL interventions, including manual lymphatic drainage, advanced pneumatic compression, submental liposuction and Kinesio taping. Patients’ adherence was reported as generally low, particularly with home self-management programmes. This impacted post-treatment functional domains and overall HRQOL, placing further demands on healthcare professionals.
Conclusions: Findings highlighted a need to provide and educate patients with individualised HNL self-management strategies. Promoting adherence is essential, by improving patient’s self-efficacy and using behaviour change techniques. Such HNL interventions should improve motivation and enhance intervention delivery, which is vitally important given the chronicity of this treatment and disease-related side-effects.
Nicole Blackburn 1 , Lynn Dunwoody 2 , Jackie Gracey 1 , Jill Lorimer 3 , Lauren Mullan 1
1 School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University
2 School of Psychology, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Ulster University
3 Physiotherapy Department, Cancer Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast