A Randomized Feasibility Trial to Evaluate Use of the Jaw Dynasplint to Prevent Trismus in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Primary or Adjuvant Radiation-Based Therapy

• Published in: Integrative cancer therapies Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 960 - 967
• Main Authors: Zatarain, Lauren A., Smith, Derek K., Deng, Jie, Gilbert, Jill, Dietrich, Mary S., Niermann, Kenneth J., Ridner, Sheila H., Murphy, Barbara A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2018; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Combined Modality Therapy; Feasibility Studies; Female; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Jaw; Jaw Fixation Techniques - instrumentation; Male; Middle Aged; Neoadjuvant Therapy - adverse effects; Pilot Projects; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant - adverse effects; Self Care; Splints; Trismus - etiology; Trismus - prevention & control; Dynasplint; physical therapy; fibrosis; trismus; head and neck cancer
• ISSN: 1534-7354; 1552-695X
• DOI: 10.1177/1534735418784363

Objective: This study was designed to assess the feasibility of using the Jaw Dynasplint System as an adjunct to conventional stretching exercises as a preventative measure against trismus in patients undergoing radiotherapy. Methods: Study participants (n = 40) were randomized using a permuted block design to conventional stretching or stretching plus use of the Jaw Dynasplint 3 times per day for 30 minutes. Patients were instructed to record maximum interincisal opening each day as well as logging use of the Jaw Dynasplint. Results: At 6 months after initiation of the preventative regimen, 50% of patients in the Dynasplint arm and 75% in the conventional stretching arm remained on their assigned therapy. Trismus was diagnosed in 2 patients in the control arm and in 4 patients in the Dynasplint arm. Only 25% (95% confidence interval = 11.1, 46.9) of patients in the Dynasplint arm used the device as prescribed. Conclusions: The addition of the Jaw Dynasplint decreased compliance compared with conventional stretching. It is unlikely that the prescribed regimen will prove efficacious as a preventative measure due to low compliance.