Methodological approach to perform systematic review on nutritional and physical prehabilitation in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract

Summary: Malnutrition is frequently observed among patients with head and neck cancer, adversely affecting overall health and treatment outcomes. Prehabilitation, both nutritional and physical, is emerging as a strategy to optimize the nutritional status of these patients before commencing anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This review methodology is designed to guide a systematic review with clear objectives: to analyze the issue of malnutrition in patients undergoing anti-cancer treatments, identify prehabilitative interventions, both nutritional and physical, aimed at promoting an improvement in nutritional status, and ascertain the most effective prehabilitative interventions in the clinical setting. With the publication of this review protocol, the aim is to provide a foundation for future systematic reviews in this emerging discipline.

Keywords

• Head and neck cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Nutrition
• Prehabilitation
• Protocol