Effect of Complex Decongestive Therapy on Quality of Life and Physical Parameters in Head and Neck Lymphedema

Objective: To assess the effect of complex decongestive therapy treatment (CDT) on quality of life, neck disability, cervical range of motion, and facial and neck lymphedema size using specific anatomical landmark points.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey. Thirty patients included in the study were treated with CDT for 21 days. The patients were evaluated before and after CDT with MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema (MDACC HNC) staging system, The Neck Disability Index, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 30 (EORTC-QLOC30), Facial Composite score and Neck Circumferences, cervical range of motion.

Results: Median follow-up was 7.2 months. After treatment of 30 patients significant cognitive function, emotional function, and social function (p < 0.001). After CDT treatment, the quality of life sub-parameters of EORTC QLQ-C30 showed significant improvement (p < 0.001). The facial composite score and neck circumferences indices showed significant improvement (p < 0.001). A decrease of 2% or more in the facial composite score and neck circumferences was observed in all patients participating in the study.

Conclusion: There have been few studies on the effectiveness of CDT on the EORTC QLQ-C30, facial composite score, and neck circumferences in head and neck lymphedema. In patients with head and neck lymphedema following head and neck cancer, our study demonstrated the positive effects of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on neck disability, range of motion, quality of life, and facial and neck lymphedema tissue size.

Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.