Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28204992›Full record

SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2017

The life experience of nutrition impact symptoms during treatment for head and neck cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.

Valentina Bressan, Annamaria Bagnasco, Giuseppe Aleo, Gianluca Catania, Milko P Zanini, Fiona Timmins, Loredana Sasso

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 48 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
48citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
8.5field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

48 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 105 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
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  5. A randomized controlled study evaluating the head-lift exercise in head and neck cancer patients with radiation-induced dysphagia: effect on swallowing function and health-related quality of life over 12 months.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2023
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  8. Article
  9. Article
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  12. Physical activity in people affected by head and neck cancers: gender-specific barriers and preferences-ORLAPA survey results.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
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  14. Article
  15. Observational
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  17. The citizen perspective on challenges and rehabilitation needs among individuals treated for head and neck cancer: a qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
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  19. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Valentina BressanDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy. breva05@gmail.com.
Annamaria BagnascoDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Giuseppe AleoDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Gianluca CataniaDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Milko P ZaniniDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Fiona TimminsSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin, Ireland.
Loredana SassoDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
University of Genoa · ITTrinity College Dublin · IE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeIn the literature, there is limited research about the changed meaning of food, the eating and the eating experience during treatment in patients with head and neck cancer. This systematic review includes findings from a qualitative research synthesis to gain a deeper understanding of the influence and experiences of dysphagia, dysgeusia, oral mucositis and xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients (HNC) and suggests recommendations for care practice.

methodA systematic review and meta-synthesis techniques were adopted to identify, appraise and synthesize the relevant literature regarding the experience of nutritional symptoms of HNC patients conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Several electronic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library databases were searched.

resultsA systematic search yielded 121 papers, of which 12 met the inclusion criteria. A thematic account of shared nutritional symptom experiences reported across studies is highlighted and presented. Eight major themes covering three key supportive care domains were identified: impact of symptoms (symptoms during treatment, symptoms working together, affecting daily living activities and physical changes, symptoms and food changes), changing social networks and support (social life restrictions, support of peers), nutritional concerns and strategies (coping strategies, professional support).

conclusionsDysphagia, dysgeusia, oral mucositis and xerostomia negatively affected the patients' quality of life throughout the period of treatment. The patients' nutritional symptom experiences do not occur in isolation. Therefore, acknowledging the patients' eating difficulties and challenges can guarantee appropriate management and support to best manage symptoms in a timely manner.

Indexed as

Life Change EventsEatingHead and Neck NeoplasmsHumansNutritional StatusQuality of LifeEating experienceHead and neck cancerQualitative researchSymptomSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID28204992
OpenAlexW2588260720

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.