The evaluation of TheraBite and wooden tongue depressor in the treatment of trismus and health-related quality of life

M.H. Şahan, B. Gökçe

Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. heval.sahan@ege.edu.tr

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• Dentistry

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of TheraBite system and a wooden tongue depressor in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and assess their quality of life (QoL) using modified questionnaires.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effects of exercise using TheraBite and a wooden tongue depressor on trismus were evaluated in 40 HNC and 10 healthy individuals. All patients performed the exercise program for 3 weeks, with a follow-up session. The patients’ pre-treatment and post-treatment mouth opening (MO) values were recorded. The HNC patients completed the QoL questionnaire after the treatment.

RESULTS: The highest mean value of MO pre-treatment scores was recorded in the control group (p < 0.05). The differences among all the scores for QoL questionnaires were insignificant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: TheraBite system increased MO compared to a wooden tongue depressor. The questionnaire revealed that radiotherapy had side effects on patients.

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