<p> The purpose of this study was to determine the taste function of post-laryngectomy head and neck cancer survivors and examine associations with dietary intake and malnutrition status. In this randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, participants were tested in their ability to identify solutions of the five basic tastes of bitter, salty, sour, sweet, and umami. A 24-hour dietary recall was conducted to determine dietary intake and participants were screened for positive markers of malnutrition. At low concentration, 33.3% of participants were able to identify bitter, 16.7% salty, 16.7% sour, 0% sweet, and 0% umami. There were no reported positive features of malnutrition though a majority of participants’ 24-hour dietary recall showed energy intake below recommendation. Positive correlations were found between energy intake and correct identification scores for sour at medium (<i>r</i> = 0.956, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and low (<i>r</i> = 0.912, <i> p</i> = 0.011) concentrations and umami at low concentration (<i> r</i> = 0.854, <i>p</i> = 0.031). Findings suggest that taste impairment is a long-term post-treatment effect in post-laryngectomy head and neck cancer survivors though adaptation seems to occur. These findings promote the need for preventative or rehabilitative interventions for taste impairment to prevent subsequent alterations in dietary intake and maximize quality of life.</p><p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10639405 |
| Date | 02 February 2018 |
| Creators | Akiyama, Kariann M. |
| Publisher | California State University, Long Beach |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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