Development and application of an evidence-based nutritional management protocol for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
10.3760/cma.j.cn115682-20250305-01062
- VernacularTitle:基于循证方法学的头颈癌放疗患者营养管理方案构建与应用
- Author:
Hongling HU
1
;
Haiqing PAN
;
Shilong NING
;
Pei XIAO
;
Ermei JIAN
;
Fangping LUO
;
Ling ZHOU
Author Information
1. 金华市中心医院放疗科，金华 321000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Head and neck neoplasms;
Evidence-based medicine;
Radiotherapy;
Nutritional management
- From:
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing
2025;31(34):4658-4664
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To develop a nutritional management protocol for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy based on evidence-based methodology, and to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.Methods:Relevant literature on nutritional management in radiotherapy for HNC patients was systematically searched. After evidence extraction, a preliminary protocol was drafted and finalized through expert consensus. The finalized protocol included five timepoints during hospitalization, covering six components and 35 nursing and clinical care items. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Using convenience sampling, 100 HNC patients admitted to Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from October 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled. Patients treated between October 2022 and July 2023 formed the control group ( n=50), and those treated from September 2023 to June 2024 comprised the intervention group ( n=50). The control group received routine care, while the intervention group was managed with the evidence-based nutrition protocol. Body weight and nutrition-related laboratory indicators were measured before radiotherapy, at week 4, and at the end of week 6. Results:At week 4 of radiotherapy, the intervention group had a higher lymphocyte count than the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). At week 6, total serum protein, serum albumin, and lymphocyte counts were all higher in the intervention group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The evidence-based nutritional management protocol developed for HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy effectively improves nutritional status. It provides a valuable reference for healthcare professionals in clinical practice.
