Abstract | PURPOSE: This study aims to examine effects of jaw exercise on trismus 3 years following completion of a post- radiotherapy jaw exercise intervention. METHODS: Prospective study including 50 patients with head-and-neck cancer receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, plus a matched control group. The intervention group underwent 10 weeks of jaw exercise training. Patients were followed pre-and postintervention and 3 years postintervention completion. Outcome measures were maximal interincisal opening (MIO), trismus-related symptoms, and health-related quality-of-life as measured by Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-H&N35. RESULTS: The intervention group had a statistically significantly higher mean MIO compared with the control group (40.1 mm and 33.9 mm, respectively, p < 0.001), reported less trismus-related problems and had an improved health-related quality-of-life when compared with the control group at the 3-year follow-up. These differences were all statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Jaw exercise therapy resulted in increased MIO, less trismus-related symptoms, and improved health-related quality-of-life. Jaw exercise therapy should be initiated early, in a structured manner and continued long-term.
|
Authors | Ove Karlsson, Therese Karlsson, Nina Pauli, Paulin Andréll, Caterina Finizia |
Journal | Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
(Support Care Cancer)
Vol. 29
Issue 7
Pg. 3793-3800
(Jul 2021)
ISSN: 1433-7339 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 32435968
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Exercise Therapy
(methods)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
(complications, pathology, therapy)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Trismus
(therapy)
|