Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42595809›Full record

ArticleDysphagia2026

Improving Functional Oral Intake in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors with Chronic Radiation-Associated Dysphagia - The Multicenter Randomized Controlled HIT-CRAD Trial.

Hanne Massonet, Ann Goeleven, Leen Van Den Steen, Alice Vergauwen, Margot Baudelet, Fréderic Duprez, Peter Tomassen, Olivier Vanderveken, Sandra Nuyts, Gwen Van Nuffelen

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Article in Dysphagia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Hanne MassonetDepartment of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium. hanne.massonet@uzleuven.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6331-9738
Ann GoelevenDepartment of Neurosciences, Research Group Experimental Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.
Leen Van Den SteenDepartment of Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Alice VergauwenDepartment of Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Margot BaudeletDepartment of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Fréderic DuprezDepartment of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Peter TomassenDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Olivier VandervekenDepartment of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Rehabilitation Center for Communication Disorders, Antwerp, Belgium.
Sandra NuytsDepartment of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.
Gwen Van NuffelenDepartment of Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of home-based treatment programs for chronic radiation associated dysphagia (CRAD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, comparing high-volume strength training to combined strength-skill training with either real or sham High-Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS). 54 HNC survivors with CRAD were randomized in 3 groups, each performing exercises 4 times per week over 8 weeks. Group 1 (n = 18) received strength training only, consisting of tongue strengthening exercises, chin tuck against resistance exercises with effortful swallowing and expiratory muscle strength training. Group 2 (n = 18) completed the same regimen for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of skill training according to the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program. Group 3 (n = 18) completed this combined therapy program while receiving HD-tDCS over the swallowing motor cortex during each therapy session. To examine the additional effect of HD-tDCS, group 2 received sham stimulation. All groups showed significant improvements in functional oral intake (p < .001), swallowing function (p < .05) and muscle strength (p < .001). Participants receiving combined strength and skill training (group 2 + 3) had significantly greater odds of better oral intake outcomes after 8 weeks of training (OR 13.47, 95%CI 5.95 - 30.49, p < .001) compared to the strength-only group (group 1) (OR 3.04, 95%CI 1.44 - 6.44, p = .004). There was no additional benefit of HD-tDCS when comparing group 2 and 3. High-volume strength and skill-based training is an effective intervention for CRAD in HNC survivors. Combining strength and skill training is the most efficient choice to improve functional oral intake.

Indexed as

DysphagiaHead and neckNon-invasive brain stimulationRadiotherapySkill trainingStrength training

Identifiers

PMID42595809

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.