Psychometric validation of a swallowing related quality of life questionnaire for head and neck cancer survivor : head-and-neck survivor assessment of mealtimes

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional survey study which validated a swallowing-related quality of life (QOL) self-administered questionnaire Head-and-Neck cancer Survivor Assessment of Mealtimes (HNSAM). The purpose of HNSAM, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, was to assess the impacts of swallowing difficulties on the QOL of head-and-neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Seventy five HNC survivors were recruited to complete HNSAM. HNSAM and M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory independently. Functional Oral Intake Scale was used to assess participants' swallowing impairment severity. HNSAM sections were demonstrated to have strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Good content, criterion, construct and clinical validity were also established. The validation of HNSAM offers a new means for demonstrating treatment outcome and allows for broader understanding of the impacts of swallowing related QOL in HNC survivors.