Interventions for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. 2021

Shuzhen Chee, and Yasmeen M Byrnes, and Kevin T Chorath, and Karthik Rajasekaran, and Jie Deng
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Current treatment for head and neck cancers (HNCs) have led to an improved survival. However, the sequelae of cancer treatment often result in trismus, or reduced mouth opening. The purpose of this report is to identify interventional studies for trismus management in HNC patients. A search of PubMed, Embase, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in March 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving interventions for trismus for head and neck cancer within 10 years. Intervention could involve the use of an exercise regime, jaw rehabilitation device, technological device, medication or massage therapy. The primary outcome was the measurement of mouth opening. Eleven RCTs involving a total of 685 patients with HNC were included. Six RCTs evaluated the effectiveness of a jaw mobilization device with exercises; there was no significant benefit of an exercise regime with a jaw mobilization device either initiated before, during or after treatment compared to no exercise. Two RCTs compared 2 intervention groups that involved exercises only, with 1 study assessing the benefit of weekly supervised physical therapy with gum chewing and another evaluating the benefit of immediate (1-2 days) versus delayed (7-10 days) initiation of exercise post-surgery; there was no significant difference between groups in either study. One RCT that recruited only patients with trismus demonstrated that an exercise regime in combination with low-level laser therapy or low-intensity ultrasound had superior results in mouth opening measurements compared to exercise alone. Two RCTs compared intervention groups with and without follow-up reminders; both studies showed a significant improvement in mouth opening measurements in groups with follow-up reminders. This systematic review did not convey a clear consensus as to optimal intervention for trismus in HNC patients. A variety of exercise regimens and jaw rehabilitation devices appear to have comparable effectiveness. However, efforts focused on increasing adherence to a particular intervention protocol may positively impact mouth opening measures in head and neck cancer patients. Also, low-level laser therapy and low-intensity ultrasound coupled with exercise may be beneficial for patients with trismus.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D005081 Exercise Therapy A regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. Its purpose is to restore normal musculoskeletal function or to reduce pain caused by diseases or injuries. Rehabilitation Exercise,Remedial Exercise,Therapy, Exercise,Exercise Therapies,Exercise, Rehabilitation,Exercise, Remedial,Exercises, Rehabilitation,Exercises, Remedial,Rehabilitation Exercises,Remedial Exercises,Therapies, Exercise
D006258 Head and Neck Neoplasms Soft tissue tumors or cancer arising from the mucosal surfaces of the LIP; oral cavity; PHARYNX; LARYNX; and cervical esophagus. Other sites included are the NOSE and PARANASAL SINUSES; SALIVARY GLANDS; THYROID GLAND and PARATHYROID GLANDS; and MELANOMA and non-melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck. (from Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 4th ed, p1651) Cancer of Head and Neck,Head Cancer,Head Neoplasm,Head and Neck Cancer,Head and Neck Neoplasm,Neck Cancer,Neck Neoplasm,Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Upper Aerodigestive Tract,UADT Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasm,Upper Aerodigestive Tract Neoplasms,Cancer of Head,Cancer of Neck,Cancer of the Head,Cancer of the Head and Neck,Cancer of the Neck,Head Neoplasms,Head, Neck Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Head,Neoplasms, Head and Neck,Neoplasms, Neck,UADT Neoplasms,Cancer, Head,Cancer, Neck,Cancers, Head,Cancers, Neck,Head Cancers,Neck Cancers,Neoplasm, Head,Neoplasm, Neck,Neoplasm, UADT,Neoplasms, UADT
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014313 Trismus Spasmodic contraction of the masseter muscle resulting in forceful jaw closure. This may be seen with a variety of diseases, including TETANUS, as a complication of radiation therapy, trauma, or in association with neoplastic conditions. Lockjaw,Masseter Muscle Spasm,Lock Jaw,Masseter Spasm,Masseter Muscle Spasms,Masseter Spasms,Muscle Spasm, Masseter,Muscle Spasms, Masseter,Spasm, Masseter,Spasm, Masseter Muscle,Spasms, Masseter,Spasms, Masseter Muscle
D016032 Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic Works about clinical trials that involve at least one test treatment and one control treatment, concurrent enrollment and follow-up of the test- and control-treated groups, and in which the treatments to be administered are selected by a random process, such as the use of a random-numbers table. Clinical Trials, Randomized,Controlled Clinical Trials, Randomized,Trials, Randomized Clinical

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