Supporting Treatment Resilience With Optimized Nutrition and Guided Exercise in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation

Summary

The purpose of this study to find out whether a structured lifestyle intervention-combining nutrition counseling, guided exercise, and wellness education-can help reduce treatment-related side effects and improve physical function, resilience, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiation therapy (chemoRT). Benefits of research cannot be guaranteed but we hope to learn whether this intervention is feasible and acceptable during active cancer treatment, and whether it can help preserve lean body mass, improve strength and endurance, and support emotional well-being. The findings will inform the design of a future larger clinical trial.

Detailed Description

This pilot study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of a multimodal lifestyle intervention-integrating nutrition optimization, guided exercise, and wellness education-on sarcopenia and resilience during treatment for HNC. The scope of these assessments are not experimental in nature, but will be applied in combination for this patient population as supplemental care. While the interventions are not uncommon for cancer patients, particularly as cancer patients may seek these care options independently during treatment, the participants will not be billed for these services as they are experimental in that they are not in standard treatment guidelines. This pilot study will inform the refinement of the STRONGER intervention for future use in a larger randomized controlled trial. It will test implementation logistics and provide preliminary data on intervention benefits for patients undergoing intensive cancer therapy, such as chemoRT.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions