Effect of oral massage combined with mouth opening training on mouth opening difficulty and oropharynx comfort of patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of oral massage combined with open-mouth training on mouth opening difficulty and oropharynx comfort of patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods 93 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated at our hospital from June, 2017 to June, 2019 were divided into a study group (n=47) and a control group (n=46) according to their wishes. The control group took routine mouth opening training, and the study group oral massage and mouth opening training. The mouth opening difficulty and oropharynx comfort and pain were compared between these two groups. Results 78.72% (37/47) patients got grade I-II mouth opening difficulty in the study group, and 56.52% (26/46) in the control group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). The scores of oropharynx comfort and pain were (2.64 ±1.35) and (2.01 ±1.04) in the study group, and were (6.32 ±1.67) and (5.21 ±1.01) in the control group, with statistical differences (both P<0.05). Conclusion The application of mouth opening training combined with oral massage in patients after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma can effectively alleviate the difficulty of opening mouth, improve their oropharynx comfort of and quality of life. It has the value of clinical promotion and application. Key words: Oral massage; Mouth opening training; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Radiotherapy; Mouth opening difficulty; Oropharynx comfort