Pain and Mandibular Trismus Response to Laser Therapy and Therabite Exercises after Head and Neck Cancer Surgeries

Abstract

Samar Hussein Mohammed*, Zakaria Mowafy Emam Mowafy, Salah Abd El Ghany, Doaa Atef Aly

Purpose: to assess the effectiveness of laser treatment and Therabite exercises in alleviating post-operative pain and mandibular trismus following neck cancer surgeries. Assessment tools (visual analogue scale (VAS), mandibular function impairment questionnaire (MFIQ), as well as measurement of the maximum interincisal opening (MIO)).

Methods: Sixty patients (30 males and 30 females) suffering from trismus after head and neck cancer surgery and getting radiotherapy were participated in the current study and these patients were selected randomly in three groups from out-patient clinics of National cancer institute, Cairo University, and age from 40 to 60 years were distributed into 3 groups. The three groups received the traditional exercise program (gentle stretching, strengthening exercises in addition to passive range of motion exercise) for three successive months. Group (A) composed of 20 patients underwent Laser therapy. Group (B) underwent the therabite exercises. Group (C) composed of 20 patients underwent Laser therapy and TheraBite exercises.

Results and conclusion: Results demonstrated that combining traditional exercise program with laser therapy and therabite exercises significantly reduced pain and mandibular trismus within cancer patients undergoing head and neck surgery who had radiotherapy. This was supported by the highly significant improvements in MIO and declines in MFIQ and VAS.