Application of digital health technology in swallowing rehabilitation for patients with head and neck neoplasms: a scoping review
10.3760/cma.j.cn115682-20250711-03655
- VernacularTitle:数字健康技术在头颈部肿瘤患者吞咽康复训练中应用的范围综述
- Author:
Xiaobo REN
1
;
Changyun WEI
;
Yiru WANG
;
Yu LIU
;
Yongling LIU
;
Zirong TIAN
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科，北京 100730
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Review;
Head and neck neoplasms;
Deglutition disorders;
Telerehabilitation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing
2025;31(34):4636-4642
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To summarize the application of digital health technology in swallowing rehabilitation for patients with head and neck neoplasms.Methods:Following the scoping review framework of Arksey and O'Malley, literature on the application of digital health technology in swallowing rehabilitation for patients with head and neck neoplasms was electronically retrieved from databases including the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, IEEE Xplore, China Biology Medicine disc, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The search period was from database establishment to August 5, 2025.Results:A total of 21 articles were included. Types of head and neck neoplasms included oropharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oral cancer, tongue cancer, laryngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, and others. The application forms of digital health technologies involved virtual reality technology, telemedicine systems, interactive mobile health APPs/digital health platforms, and wearable devices. Interactive mobile health apps/digital health platforms were currently the most widely adopted form, with some applications integrating wearable devices for physiological data monitoring. The main components of the intervention included guiding swallowing training methods, training monitoring/supervision and feedback, swallowing function screening/assessment, and health education.Conclusions:The application of digital health technology in swallowing rehabilitation for patients with head and neck neoplasms is still in its early stages, but its advantages in enhancing rehabilitation accessibility and promoting patient adherence have already begun to emerge. Nevertheless, it also faces challenges such as limited user-friendliness, insufficient personalized feedback, and a lack of humanistic care. It is necessary to further explore and develop personalized, precision-oriented intelligent swallowing rehabilitation systems tailored to the specific needs of swallowing rehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients. High-quality clinical studies should be conducted to validate long-term efficacy, thereby providing intelligent solutions for clinical nursing practices in swallowing rehabilitation for these patients.
