Effects of Ultrasound, Laser and Exercises on Temporomandibular Joint Pain and Trismus Following Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Objective To compare the effects of low intensity ultrasound (LIUS), traditional exercise therapy (TET), low level laser therapy (LLLT) and TET on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and trismus following recovery from head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods Sixty participants following, who had experienced HNC, were randomly allocated to three groups of 20 people each. Each group received different therapy. Group A received LIUS and TET; group B received LLLT and TET; while group C received TET. All 60 participants were evaluated under the visual analog scale (VAS), the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL) and the Vernier caliper scale (VCS) at the beginning of the therapies and after 4 weeks. Results ANOVA test revealed significant improvements across all three groups with outcomes of p0.05). The VCS results showed more improvement for the individuals in group B as compared to those in group C (p0.05). Conclusion The LIUS and TET are more effective than LLLT and/or TET in reducing TMJ pain and trismus following HNC.

Keywords

• Ultrasonics
• Lasers
• Trismus
• Temporomandibular joint
• Head and neck neoplasms