Effectiveness of a swallowing rehabilitation program for elderly lung cancer patients after lobectomy: A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of a swallowing rehabilitation program on the incidence of dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, nutritional status, and swallowing-related quality of life in elderly lung cancer patients after lobectomy. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted from June to October 2024. The participants were 63 lung cancer patients aged 65 years or older scheduled for lobectomy. The experimental group (n=30) received a swallowing rehabilitation program in addition to conventional respiratory rehabilitation, while the control group (n=33) received only conventional respiratory rehabilitation. The program was implemented eight times over 4 days after surgery. Dysphagia was assessed daily for 4 days postoperatively, aspiration pneumonia was assessed on the fourth postoperative day, nutritional status was assessed daily, and swallowing-related quality of life was evaluated preoperatively and on the fourth postoperative day. RESULTS: The incidence of dysphagia was lower in the experimental group that received the swallowing rehabilitation program, with four cases reported, compared with 13 cases in the control group (χ2=5.42, p=.025). There were no significant differences between groups in the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, nutritional status, or swallowing-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: The swallowing rehabilitation program was effective in reducing the incidence of dysphagia in elderly lung cancer patients after lobectomy. It may serve as a practical nursing intervention to promote recovery and swallowing function in this patient population.