Pilot Study of Intensive Trismus Intervention Using Restorabite ™ During Unilateral Adjuvant Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer

This study assessed the feasibility of using a novel trismus device during adjuvant radiotherapy for HNC in patients with acute postoperative trismus. Prospective single-arm cohort feasibility study. Eligible patients had undergone surgery with curative intent for HNC, planned for adjuvant radiotherapy, and were suitable for trismus rehabilitation. Participants completed a 10-week exercise program using a novel jaw stretching device. Study outcomes were adherence, maximal incisal opening (MIO), and trismus-related function and quality of life scores, assessed at baseline, 10  weeks, and 6 months after commencing exercises. Nine patients diagnosed with trismus after primary surgery were recruited. The mean increase in MIO at 10 weeks was 7.8 mm (range −4 to 15 mm,p = 0.03), and at 6 months was 10.6 mm (range 1–26 mm,p = 0.03). Significant improvements were observed in trismus-related quality of life (Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire;p = 0.04). Adherence to the exercises was 100% in week 1–2, 67% in weeks 3–6, and 100% at 10 weeks (1 month post radiation). This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a novel jaw stretching device during adjuvant radiotherapy. Further evaluation is warranted to assess the effectivene ss of early intervention and prevention of trismus during HNC radiotherapy.Level of Evidence: IV
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research