Abstract
ObjectivesThis study investigated the clinical effectiveness of intervention with an open-mouth exercise device designed to facilitate maximal interincisal opening (MIO) and improve quality of life in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).Materials and methodsSixty patients with H&N cancer, OSF, and trismus (MIO < 35 mm) participated in the functional rehabilitation program. An open-mouth exercise device intervention group and conventional group, each consisting of 20 patients, underwent a 12-week training and exercising program and follow-up. For the control group, an additional 20 patients were randomly selected to match the demographic characteristics of the aforementioned two groups.ResultsThe patients’ MIO improvements in the aforementioned three groups were 14.0, 10.5, and 1.3 mm, respectively.ConclusionResults of this study confirm the significant improvement in average mouth-opening range. In addition, according to patient feedback, significant improvements in health-related quality of life and reductions in trismus symptoms occurred in the open-mouth exercise device group.Clinical relevanceThis newly designed open-mouth exercise device can facilitate trismus patients with H&N cancer and OSF and improve mouth-opening range and quality of life.
Highlights
Trismus refers to a reduced ability to open the mouth and is a common symptom in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF)
The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of the EZBite device and health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes in trismus patients with H&N cancer and OSF
The questionnaire design modified the acceptable items of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ), which contains 12 items divided into three domains, namely jaw-related problems, eating limitations, and muscular tension, and two additional items that were retained as single items
Summary
Trismus refers to a reduced ability to open the mouth and is a common symptom in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The definition of trismus (i.e., maximal interincisal opening [MIO] of 35 mm) described by Dijsktra [7] has been used extensively in studies investigating trismus in patients with H&N cancer and those with OSF and was used in the present study. This definition has facilitated the comparison and study of various outcomes in different individuals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
