Interventions for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Integrative Cancer Therapies
Chee, S., Byrnes, Y. M., et al. (2021).
Integrative Cancer Therapies, 20, 1-12.
This systematic review investigates the effect of a variety of trismus management strategies (e.g., exercise regimen, jaw rehabilitation device) on the measurement of mouth opening in head and neck cancer patients.
American Cancer Society
2010 to March 26, 2020
Randomized controlled trials
11
Eleven studies investigating the effects of a variety of trismus interventions on the measurement of mouth opening in head and neck cancer patients reported comparable effectiveness across interventions. Interventions included exercise regimens conducted in isolation, an exercise regimen combined with the use of a jaw rehabilitation device (e.g., TheraBite), and an exercise regimen combined with low-intensity ultrasound or low-level laser therapy.
For head and neck cancer patients with trismus, two studies compared standard post-operative exercise regimen instructions and follow-up to a service delivery model involving increased feedback via smartphone apps or provider phone calls. The intervention group receiving increased feedback demonstrated a statistically significant increase in mouth opening. The authors of this review conclude that targeting increased adherence to post-operative instructions may improve mouth-opening progress.
