Jaw exercise in head and neck cancer patients for prevention of temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial

To prospectively evaluate the effect of a preventive jaw-training intervention program on the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients treated for head and neck cancer (HNC).

We randomized 58 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck area into two groups before initiation of a curatively intended oncologic treatment: training with a jaw mobilizer once a day or a control group without active exercise. A comprehensive examination according to diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) was conducted at baseline (before oncologic treatment) 6 and 12 months after completed radiation therapy (RT). The patients recorded training frequency in a diary.

There were significant differences in the changes of maximal incisal opening (MIO) between the intervention and control groups at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline (p = 0.010 and p = 0.012, respectively) with more deterioration in the control group. The control group had a higher prevalence of TMD diagnosis at the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.010) and a close to significant level at the 12-month follow-up (p = 0.055).

This unique study, which evaluates the effect of a preventive jaw-training program for prevention of TMD in patients with HNC undergoing high dose RT, found that the preventive jaw-training program could prevent the deterioration of MIO and development of TMD.

This preventive exercise program could prevent the deterioration in MIO and the development of TMD in HNC patients, leading to less pain and better jaw function.