Development and Validation of Dysgeusia Grading Scale for Patients with Head and Neck Cancers Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Research Protocol
Head and neck cancer patients present with dysgeusia despite the advent of modern radiotherapy techniques. However, there is currently no tool that can be used to evaluate taste alteration in patients undergoing radiotherapy. The objective of this project is to develop and validate a grading scale that is used to assess taste alteration in head and neck cancer patients treated with Intensity- Modulated Radiotherapy. The study will be conducted in three phases. First step is conceptualization and generation of the Dysgeusia Grading Scale. Second is the preliminary item evaluation phase wherein content validity will be determined through an expert panel review. Last is the scale refinement, pilot-, and field- testing phase to assess the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the scale.