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

Lauren A Zatarain; Derek K Smith; Jie Deng; Jill Gilbert; Mary S Dietrich; Kenneth J Niermann; Sheila H Ridner; Barbara A Murphy

doi:10.1177/1534735418784363

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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

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

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

Lauren A Zatarain, Derek K Smith, Jie Deng, Jill Gilbert, Mary S Dietrich, Kenneth J Niermann, Sheila H Ridner and Barbara A Murphy

Integrative cancer therapies, Vol.17(3), pp.960-967

09/01/2018

DOI: 10.1177/1534735418784363

PMCID: PMC6142105

PMID: 29952235

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Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.

Adult

Aged

Combined Modality Therapy

Feasibility Studies

Female

Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology

Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy

Humans

Jaw Fixation Techniques - instrumentation

Male

Middle Aged

Neoadjuvant Therapy - adverse effects

Pilot Projects

Radiotherapy Dosage

Radiotherapy, Adjuvant - adverse effects

Self Care

Splints

Trismus - etiology

Trismus - prevention & control

Details

Title: Subtitle: 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
Creators: Lauren A Zatarain - 1 Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Derek K Smith - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Jie Deng - University of Pennsylvania
Jill Gilbert - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Mary S Dietrich - Vanderbilt University
Kenneth J Niermann - Vanderbilt University
Sheila H Ridner - Vanderbilt University
Barbara A Murphy - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Integrative cancer therapies, Vol.17(3), pp.960-967
DOI: 10.1177/1534735418784363
PMID: 29952235
PMCID: PMC6142105
NLM abbreviation: Integr Cancer Ther
ISSN: 1534-7354
eISSN: 1552-695X
Language: English
Date published: 09/01/2018
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Nursing; Dental Research
Record Identifier: 9984966850302771

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