Evaluation of a rehabilitation planning consult for survivors of head and neck cancer

Background: The rehabilitation planning consult (RPC) is a novel, transdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention for survivors of head and neck cancer. The study aimed to: (1) estimate recruitment and withdrawal rates, and adverse events; and (2) estimate the effect on rehabilitation indicators in survivors of head and neck cancer. Methods: A single group pre-post study with follow-up was conducted with survivors of head and neck cancer who had completed treatment within 18 months. Outcome measures included goal attainment and quality of life indicators. Results: Thirty participants (30) completed the RPC, and 20 completed follow-up. The average age was 59.8 years (SD 13.3), 23 were men, and 23 set rehabilitation goals. At follow-up, there was a large effect on goal performance (d 5 1.5) and satisfaction (d 5 1.5), and on the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) physical role and social functioning subscales (d 5 1.0 and 0.8). There was a small to moderate effect on most other outcomes. Conclusion: The RPC is a promising transdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention warranting further study with a controlled trial.