Abstract: Objects To evaluating the effect of swallowing rehabilitation on the quality of life and swallowing function in head and neck cancer patients. Methods The literatures were retrieved from databases of CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Ovid, EBSCO and Web of Science. They were scanned and assessed, and analyzed with RevMan 5.3 in the terms of swallowing function, oral feeding function and quality of life. Results A total of 24 trials that represented 1514 participants were evaluated. For the swallowing function, by videofluoroscopic swallowing study, RR = 1.67, 95%CI 1.37 to 2.04; by Kubota Water Swallowing Test, RR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.56 to 2.11; by Standardized Swallowing Assessment, MD = -6.43, 95%CI -8.41 to -4.45; by Oropharyngeal Swallowing Efficiency, MD = -0.41, 95%CI -7.41 to 6.59. For oral feeding function, by Functional Oral Intake Scale, MD = 1.58, 95%CI 0.67 to 2.49. For quality of life, by Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, within three months, MD = 0.07, 95%CI -1.30 to 1.44; three to six months, MD = -1.74, 95%CI -3.40 to -0.07; six to nine months, MD = -1.36, 95%CI -3.15 to 0.42; by European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionaire, within three months: a research displayed that the score was less in the training group than in the control group (P = 0.03), another research displayed that the score was more in the training group than in the control group (P < 0.05); three to six months, MD = 10, 95%CI 1.83 to 18.17; six to nine months, MD = 2.20, 95%CI -5.57 to 9.98; nine to twelve months, MD = -1.76, 95%CI -10.73 to 7.21. Conclusion Swallowing rehabilitation can improve the swallowing function and the oral feeding function for the head and neck cancer patients, however, it is needed more evidence to support the improvement on the quality of life.

Key words: head and neck cancer, swallowing disorders, rehabilitation, quality of life, meta-analysis