Pi-Ling Tsai1,2, Chen-Ping Wang2,3, Yuan-Yuan Fang1,2, Yen-Ju Chen4, Shu-Ching Chen5, Min-Ru Chen1,2, Jenq-Yuh Ko2,3, Jiu-Jenq Lin2,6, Pei-Jen Lou7,8, Yeur-Hur Lai9,10,11. 1. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1, Jen-Ai Rd., Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. 2. College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. 4. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dayeh University, Changhua, Taiwan. 5. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 6. School of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. pjlou@ntu.edu.tw. 8. Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. pjlou@ntu.edu.tw. 9. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1, Jen-Ai Rd., Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan. laiyhwk@ntu.edu.tw. 10. College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. laiyhwk@ntu.edu.tw. 11. National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan. laiyhwk@ntu.edu.tw.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Return to work (RTW) is important for survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC). The purposes of the study were to investigate the RTW ratio among HNC survivors and identify factors significantly affecting RTW in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan, with 111 patients with HNC who had completed major treatments within 5 years and were employed before their cancer diagnosis enrolled as participants. Cervical range of motion (CROM) functionality, handgrip and hip flexor strength, maximal mouth opening (MMO), selected symptoms, depression, and disease/treatment-related factors were assessed. All of the factors were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Less than half (44.1%, n = 49) of the participants had returned to work. The t-test/chi-square test results showed the RTW group to be younger in age and better educated; have better handgrip/hip flexor strength, MMO, and CROM; have less speech difficulty and pain; and have less-advanced cancer than the non-RTW group. Further analysis of the above significant variables by logistic regression revealed early cancer stage, dominant handgrip strength, and less speech difficulty were the robust factors related to RTW. CONCLUSIONS: The RTW ratio is low in HNC survivors. RTW in HNC survivors is a multifactorial and complicated issue and needs to be further examined. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Assessing the factors related to RTW systematically and developing comprehensive interventions and rehabilitation programs to reduce related dysfunctions are necessary to enhance RTW ability in HNC survivors.
PURPOSE: Return to work (RTW) is important for survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC). The purposes of the study were to investigate the RTW ratio among HNC survivors and identify factors significantly affecting RTW in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan, with 111 patients with HNC who had completed major treatments within 5 years and were employed before their cancer diagnosis enrolled as participants. Cervical range of motion (CROM) functionality, handgrip and hip flexor strength, maximal mouth opening (MMO), selected symptoms, depression, and disease/treatment-related factors were assessed. All of the factors were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Less than half (44.1%, n = 49) of the participants had returned to work. The t-test/chi-square test results showed the RTW group to be younger in age and better educated; have better handgrip/hip flexor strength, MMO, and CROM; have less speech difficulty and pain; and have less-advanced cancer than the non-RTW group. Further analysis of the above significant variables by logistic regression revealed early cancer stage, dominant handgrip strength, and less speech difficulty were the robust factors related to RTW. CONCLUSIONS: The RTW ratio is low in HNC survivors. RTW in HNC survivors is a multifactorial and complicated issue and needs to be further examined. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Assessing the factors related to RTW systematically and developing comprehensive interventions and rehabilitation programs to reduce related dysfunctions are necessary to enhance RTW ability in HNC survivors.
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