The experience of taste changes during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A mixed methods study

Mathlin, Jane Ann 2020. The experience of taste changes during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A mixed methods study. Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Problems tasting food is a common side effect of radiotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer leading to malnutrition, increased use of tube feeding and reduced quality of life. Some patients carry on eating despite taste changes whereas others report everything tastes too awful and they stop eating becoming dependent upon a feeding tube for nutrition. This study used a mixed methods approach supported by a critical realist framework to investigate the experience of taste changes during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. The mixed methods approach enabled a full exploration of taste changes as well as measuring the extent of taste changes and when they arise. Sixty-one patients completed the MDASI-HN questionnaire, a patient reported outcome measure, in weeks 1 and 4 of treatment, with a purposive sample of twenty-one patients going on to take part in a semi-structured interview to discuss their experience of taste changes. The interview focussed on their experience as well as timing of and how patients managed their taste changes and what motivated them to continue eating. Seventy-seven percent of participants having radiotherapy and 88% of participants having chemo-radiotherapy developed taste changes. Participants having chemo-radiotherapy for oro-pharyngeal cancer (88%) were the group most likely to experience taste changes. Females (92%) were more likely than males (75%) to experience taste changes. Taste changes were reported sooner than participants had been warned to expect them. Participants managed taste changes with a combination of determination, individual coping style, good symptom management and having someone to share the burden. A high score for problems tasting food on the MDASI-HN was not a good indicator of who would continue to eat and who would not. Strong survival instinct, fear of losing their swallow function and avoiding tube feeding were strong motivators for those who continued eating.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 April 2021
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2022 02:13
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/140608

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