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Prophylactic training for the prevention of radiotherapy-induced trismus - a randomised study . BACKGROUND Radiotherapy-induced trismus ( RTIT ) is a debilitating condition without any proven effective treatment . This study investigates the effectiveness of prophylactic training to prevent RTIT during and up to 12 months after completed RT in patients with head and neck cancer ( HNC ) , also investigating the incidence of RTIT . METHODS Sixty-six consecutive patients from two RT clinics in Sweden were randomised into one of two groups : training with TheraBite ( ® ) Jaw Motion Rehabilitation System ( ™ ) or a control group . Maximum interincisal openings ( MIO ) were recorded at baseline and once a week during treatment , three , six and 12 months after completed RT . Training frequency was recorded by patients in a log book . RESULTS There were no significant differences in MIO between the intervention and control groups at any of the measurement points . Patients in both groups maintained their normal variation in MIO at 12 months after completed RT . A small group of patients in the control group had a 17 % mean decrease in MIO by week 6 compared to baseline and improved their MIO by using the training programme . There was a significant mean difference in MIO from baseline to week 6 ( 3 mm , p = 0.018 ) , and month 6 ( 2.7 mm , p = 0.040 ) , for patients receiving 3D conformal radiotherapy . There was a significant difference in MIO between patients treated with RT and concurrent chemotherapy compared to patients with RT only at 12 months ( p = 0.033 ) . CONCLUSIONS Patients with HNC undergoing high dose RT do not need to be burdened with an intense prophylactic training programme during RT and up to 12 months after completed RT . MIO measurements during RT and up to 12 months after completed RT are recommended to identify a small risk group who are an exception and may need a training programme .
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Intervention_Educational
Prophylactic training
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Intervention_Educational
prophylactic training
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Intervention_Control
control
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Participant_Condition
completed RT in patients with head and neck cancer ( HNC )
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Participant_Sample-size
Sixty-six
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Participant_Condition
Patients with HNC undergoing high dose