Nutritional prehabilitation strategies for patients undergoing head and neck cancer: a scoping review

Abstract Background: Given the high incidence of malnutrition before anti-cancer treatment in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), it is necessary to pay attention to nutritional interventions for them before surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Nutritional prehabilitation strategies vary considerably in their implementations. Objective: This scoping review aimed to summarize the nutritional prehabilitation strategies for HNC patients. Methods: We conducted a scoping review based on the framework outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology (Joanna Briggs Institute, 2020). Twelve articles focused on the effects of preoperative nutritional intervention on the nutritional status of patients with HNC who underwent surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. We synthesized the screening or evaluation tool for the nutrition prerehabilitation intervention strategy, type of nutrition supplement, intervention goal, frequency, duration, re-evaluation, and supervision. Results: Findings suggest that preoperative nutritional intervention can improve recovery from anti-cancer treatment and patient physical reserves for coping with surgical stress. Therefore, patients with HNC who are at risk of malnutrition are recommended for early nutritional interventions.