Evidence summary for the prevention and management of dysgeusia in head and neck cancer patients
- 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, 610041 China
- 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- 3Department of Hospital Administration, Chengfei Hospital, Chengdu, China
Abstract
Background: To retrieve, appraise, and synthesize evidence related to the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer, and to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice among healthcare professionals.
Methods: This evidence summary systematically retrieved the best evidence on the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The following databases and resources were searched from inception to February 2025: BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, JBI Evidence Summary Database, Guidelines International Network (GIN) Library, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), World Health Organization (WHO), American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), Japan Head and Neck Cancer Society, European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), Association for Chemoreception and Taste Research, Medlive, EBSCOhost platform, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, SinoMed, and Wanfang Data. The types of literature retrieved included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensuses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials. Literature screening, quality appraisal, and evidence extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Cross-checking was performed, and disagreements were resolved through discussion or by consulting a third reviewer. The AGREE II instrument was used to appraise guidelines, the JBI critical appraisal tools were used for systematic reviews, and the corresponding JBI checklists were used for expert consensuses and randomized controlled trials. For clinical decisions, the original literature of the relevant evidence was traced and appraised according to the corresponding study type.
Results: A total of 16 studies were included, comprising 4 clinical practice guidelines, 2 expert consensus documents, 5 systematic reviews, 1 randomized controlled trial, and 4 evidence summaries. Evidence was extracted and synthesized, resulting in 20 evidence statements across six themes: early screening and assessment, prevention, dietary management, exercise management, social and psychological support, and survivorship follow-up.
Conclusion: This evidence summary provides an evidence-based reference for healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer.
Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
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BibTeX
@article{liang2026evidence,
title = {{Evidence summary for the prevention and management of dysgeusia in head and neck cancer patients}},
author = {Haixin Liang and Enmei Jiu and Jiali Liu and Bin Li and Li Yin and Shuang Yang and Jianxia Lyu and Lei Qin and Huarong Pang},
journal = {BMC Nursing},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05162-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-05162-1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evidence summary for the prevention and management of dysgeusia in head and neck cancer patients
AU - Haixin Liang
AU - Enmei Jiu
AU - Jiali Liu
AU - Bin Li
AU - Li Yin
AU - Shuang Yang
AU - Jianxia Lyu
AU - Lei Qin
AU - Huarong Pang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/31
JO - BMC Nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-05162-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-05162-1
AB - Background: To retrieve, appraise, and synthesize evidence related to the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer, and to provide evidence-based support for clinical practice among healthcare professionals. Methods: This evidence summary systematically retrieved the best evidence on the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The following databases and resources were searched from inception to February 2025: BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, JBI Evidence Summary Database, Guidelines International Network (GIN) Library, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), World Health Organization (WHO), American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), Japan Head and Neck Cancer Society, European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), Association for Chemoreception and Taste Research, Medlive, EBSCOhost platform, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, SinoMed, and Wanfang Data. The types of literature retrieved included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensuses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials. Literature screening, quality appraisal, and evidence extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Cross-checking was performed, and disagreements were resolved through discussion or by consulting a third reviewer. The AGREE II instrument was used to appraise guidelines, the JBI critical appraisal tools were used for systematic reviews, and the corresponding JBI checklists were used for expert consensuses and randomized controlled trials. For clinical decisions, the original literature of the relevant evidence was traced and appraised according to the corresponding study type. Results: A total of 16 studies were included, comprising 4 clinical practice guidelines, 2 expert consensus documents, 5 systematic reviews, 1 randomized controlled trial, and 4 evidence summaries. Evidence was extracted and synthesized, resulting in 20 evidence statements across six themes: early screening and assessment, prevention, dietary management, exercise management, social and psychological support, and survivorship follow-up. Conclusion: This evidence summary provides an evidence-based reference for healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of dysgeusia in patients with head and neck cancer. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -