Assessing the Dutch-language version of a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of the side effects of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer

ISRCTN ISRCTN12923581
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12923581
Secondary identifying numbers B3002021000111
Submission date
27/09/2021
Registration date
20/11/2021
Last edited
22/01/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
The aim of this study is to assess the Dutch-language version of a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of the side effects of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. The questionnaire examines quality of life related to dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and explores the patient's view of his/her swallowing problem and the resulting limitations in activities and participation. This questionnaire was originally developed in English and has already been translated and validated in Chinese. A Dutch equivalent does not exist to date.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 years and over with head and neck cancer who were treated with (chemo)radiotherapy and/or surgery at least 6 months ago

What does the study involve?
All patients are asked to fill out three questionnaires. At the same time, a speech-language pathologist will interview the patient to assess their performance status and their speech, diet and ability to eat in public. Patients are given a second copy of the questionnaire to take home and are asked to fill it in again after 1 week.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no additional risks or benefits of participating in this study.

Where is the study run from?
Antwerp University Hospital (Belgium)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2021 to December 2021

Who is funding the study?
Antwerp University Hospital (Belgium)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Dr. Gwen Van Nuffelen
Gwen.vannuffelen@uza.be

Contact information

Prof Gwen Van Nuffelen
Scientific

Wilrijkstraat 10
Edegem
2650
Belgium

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-6934-4168
Phone +32 (0)38212013
Email gwen.vannuffelen@uza.be
Prof Gwen Van Nuffelen
Public

Wilrijkstraat 10
Edegem
2650
Belgium

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-6934-4168
Phone +32 (0)38212013
Email gwen.vannuffelen@uza.be

Study information

Study designMulticenter longitudinal study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designLongitudinal study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleValidation and assessment of the psychometric characteristics of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Assessment of Mealtimes (D-HNSAM)
Study acronymD-HNSAM
Study hypothesisIt is hypothesized that the Dutch version of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Assessment of Mealtimes (D-HNSAM), a patient-oriented questionnaire designed specifically for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, is a valid, reliable and feasible instrument in patients treated with radiotherapy for HNC.
The questionnaire is based on the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) model and focuses on the psychosocial problems experienced by HNC patients with dysphagia. It examines dysphagia-related quality of life (QoL) and explores the patient's own view of his/her swallowing problems and the resulting limitations in activities and participation.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 12/07/2021, Ethical Committee of the University of Antwerp (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium; +32 (0)38213897; ethisch.comite@uza.be), ref: 2021-0264 - Edge 001685
ConditionPatients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy, surgery, chemoradiotherapy or a combination of the before mentioned treatment modalities
InterventionThis is a multicenter, longitudinal study with the aim of validating the Dutch version of the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Assessment of Mealtimes (D-HNSAM). The D-HNSAM is first translated according to the cross-cultural adaptation process described in international guidelines.

The D-HNSAM is filled in together with the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) and the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation Participation (USER-P). The speech-language pathologist will complete the Performance Status Scale - Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) and the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) based on a short interview with the patient.
All instruments are administered at baseline and after 1 week, patients are asked to fill out the D-HNSAM again for test-retest reliability evaluation.

This data is used to assess the validity and reliability of the D-HNSAM.

This is a multicentre trial: the University Hospital of Anwerp and the University Hospital of Ghent are participating in this trial.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Dysphagia-related quality of life (QoL) and the patient's own view of his/her swallowing problems and the resulting limitations in activities and participation, assessed using the Dutch-Head and Neck Cancer Survivors’ Assessment of Mealtimes (D-HNSAM) (patient questionnaire) at baseline and after 1 week
2. Swallowing-related quality of life assessed using the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI) (patient questionnaire) at baseline
3. Objective and subjective rehabilitation participation assessed using the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation Participation (USER-P) (patient questionnaire) at baseline
4. Normality of diet, eating in public, and speech intelligibility assessed using the Performance Status Scale - Head and Neck Cancer (PSS-HN) (clinician-based interview) at baseline
5. Oral intake capabilities assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) (clinician-based interview) at baseline
Secondary outcome measuresThere are no secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date05/01/2021
Overall study end date20/12/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants60
Total final enrolment60
Participant inclusion criteria1. Patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy; tumor located in the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx or larynx
2. Patients with head and neck cancer treated with surgery; tumor located in the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx or larynx
3. The treatment was completed at least 6 months ago
4. Aged 18 years or older
5. Without any cognitive disorders
Participant exclusion criteriaDoes not meet inclusion criteria
Recruitment start date20/07/2021
Recruitment end date31/07/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Belgium

Study participating centres

Univeristy Hospital of Antwerp
Wilrijkstraat 10
Edegem
2650
Belgium
University Hospital of Ghent
Corneel Heymanslaan 10
Ghent
9000
Belgium

Sponsor information

Antwerp University Hospital
Hospital/treatment centre

Wilrijkstraat 10
Edegem
2650
Belgium

Phone +32 (0)38212013
Email ctc@uza.be
Website http://www.uza.be/english
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01hwamj44

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen
Government organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
Antwerp University Hospital, University Hospital Antwerp, UZA
Location
Belgium

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/07/2023
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in non-publicly available repository
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal. The study protocol is not available online, please use the contact details to request the study protocol.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be stored in a non-publically available repository. All data will be stored in REDCap, a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases (https://www.project-redcap.org/). Patient information (no identifying information), surveys and measurements will be shared. The data will be available for all participating study investigators until the end of the study. All data will be anonymised, patient’s details will be encoded.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 23/10/2022 22/01/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

22/01/2024: Publication reference added.
15/12/2022: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2022 to 31/07/2023.
23/08/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 31/08/2022 to 20/12/2021.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/07/2022 to 31/07/2021.
3. The total final enrolment was added.
4. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
05/10/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by the Ethical Committee of the University of Antwerp.