Swallowing Function

The goal of this study (exploratory sequential design; mixed-methods study) is to evaluate whether a PERMA-H model mobile-based rehabilitation support program delivered to post-tracheostomy oral cancer patients can improve psychological and rehabilitation outcomes, compared with a control group receiving usual care/standard support. The study will focus on post-tracheostomy oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients (aged ≥18 years) who are undergoing or scheduled to undergo tracheostomy followed by decannulation, and who have adequate communication ability and caregiver support. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the PERMA-H model mobile-based rehabilitation support program improve patients' hope? (primary hypothesis/outcome measure 1) Does the PERMA-H model mobile-based rehabilitation support program improve patients' self-efficacy, perceived social support, and rehabilitation outcomes? (primary hypothesis/outcome measure 2) If there is a comparison group, researchers will compare the PERMA-H model mobile-based rehabilitation support program (intervention group) to a control group receiving standard/usual care (control group) to determine differences in outcomes between groups. Participants will be asked to complete the main study tasks, including: participating in qualitative interviews to explore their digital needs, expectations, and experiences regarding psychosocial care (Phase I); using the WeChat mini-program platform that incorporates a PERMA-H evidence-based module set and a chatbot (Decannulationbot / Digital rehabilitation Assistant, DDA) as part of the rehabilitation support program; completing validated assessments at study endpoints to measure hope (Herth Hope Index), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale), and perceived social support (Perceived Social Support Scale), as well as rehabilitation-related outcomes (including rehabilitation willingness/participation and functional measures such as swallowing function and speech intelligibility as rated by speech-language pathologists). Expected outcomes include: comprehensive qualitative findings to inform the content and delivery of digital psychosocial support; a functional mobile intervention platform with evidence-based modules validated through expert appraisal and pilot testing; and statistically significant improvements in hope, self-efficacy, perceived social support, and rehabilitation outcomes in the intervention group compared with the control group.

This study examines whether simple speech tasks and a swallowing screening test can help identify swallowing risk in adults of different ages. Participants will complete basic questions, a swallowing self-assessment, a saliva swallowing test, and short voice recordings of rapid syllables. The study is non-invasive, takes about 75 minutes, and may help develop an easy, low-cost screening tool for early swallowing problems.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas are head and neck malignancies that directly affect both swallowing and voice functions and are associated with a significant deterioration in patients' quality of life throughout the treatment process. The aim of this study is to evaluate quality of life, voice and swallowing functions, pain, anxiety-depression levels, and patient satisfaction at the pre-treatment period and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months post-treatment in patients with laryngeal malignancies, using validated questionnaires, in order to: Elucidate the course of functional recovery following treatment, Individualize rehabilitation and follow-up strategies, and Examine the relationship between functional outcomes and oncological survival.

This exploratory clinical trial aims to investigate the mechanism of sequential muscle contractions during normal swallowing processes, including spoon, straw, and cup feeding, in children aged 2 to under 10 years without swallowing disorders. Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be used to evaluate activation patterns of the orbicularis oris, submental, and hyoid muscles during liquid, semi-solid, and solid intake. The study seeks to characterize the timing, duration, amplitude, and coordination of swallowing-related muscle activity in typically developing children. Findings from this study are expected to provide foundational physiological data to inform the development of pediatric-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocols for dysphagia treatment.

This study focuses on swallowing dysfunction, a common issue affecting 60-75% of head and neck cancer patients due to tumor damage, treatment complications, and chemoradiotherapy side effects, which can lead to malnutrition and reduced quality of life. With limited research on the effects of radiation doses on swallowing muscles and nutrition, this study aims to evaluate these impacts in non-surgical patients undergoing radiotherapy, conducting assessments before treatment, three months after, and within one year post-treatment.