Existing literature suggests that cancer survivors present with high rates of morbidity due to various treatment and disease-induced factors. Research has shown exercise to be beneficial in improving treatment outcomes and quality of life (QOL). This review was done to collect the current state of exercise-based interventions for cancer survivors in India. From the summarized data, exercise interventions were categorized into resistance training, aerobic training, and home-based walking program in head-and-neck cancers. A broad range of outcomes showed improvement in muscle strength, functional capacity, and QOL and hence supported the benefits of exercise-based interventions in this population. All the data retrieved, therefore, conclude that exercise-based interventions are safe, feasible, and beneficial in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation therapy.

Background: Reduced physical and functional capacity is one of the main treatment-related side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head-and-neck cancer patients. We evaluated a case of a head-and-neck cancer patient who was undergoing chemoradiation and was assessed for various components of cardiopulmonary function that plays a vital role in the treatment prognosis. The aim of this case report was to evaluate the respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity of a head-and-neck cancer patient receiving chemoradiation therapy. Settings and Design: From among the newly diagnosed admitted to the hospital care, a 60-year-old male with supraglottic carcinoma, who was undergoing concomitant chemoradiation for 7 weeks, was evaluated for various components of cardiopulmonary function. Subjects and Methods: Outcomes assessed were diaphragm function (mobility and thickness), maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure, and 6-min walk test at baseline (pre), after 3 weeks, and after 7 weeks of chemoradiation therapy. The data were quantitatively analyzed to interpret the difference of respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity. Results: Evaluation of these outcomes showed a significant decrease from the baseline till the end of the 7 th week. Conclusions: Therefore, concomitant chemoradiation therapy substantially decreased the respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity in the head-and-neck cancer patient.

Background: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and is also associated with many pulmonary complications. Decreased cardiopulmonary function and functional capacity is one of the major treatment related side effects of chemoradiation therapy. In this study we aimed to assess and quantify the impact of treatment related side effects on the respiratory function and functional capacity of head and neck cancer patients during chemoradiation therapy.   Methods: This was a pilot longitudinal study conducted amongst 12 newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients (stage III, IV, IVa, IVb) who were admitted to hospital care and were receiving chemoradiation therapy for seven weeks. Outcome variables assessed were diaphragmatic thickness and mobility, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and functional capacity using six-minute walk test at baseline, three weeks and seven weeks of chemo radiation. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to identify significant differences at the three time points with a p < 0.05.  Results: Our data reported a decrease in all the variables and a significant decrease in diaphragm function during deep inspiration, respiratory pressures which indicate respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity by the end of the seventh week of chemo-radiation therapy (p <0.05).  Conclusion: We conclude that seven weeks of chemo-radiation therapy reduces the diaphragmatic thickness, mobility, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in head and neck cancer patients.