Qualitative study on exercise for trismus post-treatment of oral cancer: a health care professional's perspective
10.3760/cma.j.cn211501-20240729-02027
- VernacularTitle:口腔癌治疗后张口受限锻炼的认知和经验：医护人员视角的质性研究
- Author:
Ling YANG
1
;
Lili HOU
;
Guihua HAO
;
Huxing CAO
Author Information
1. 上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院护理部，上海 200011
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Oral neoplasms;
Qualitative research;
Limited mouth opening;
Mouth-opening exercises;
Healthcare professionals
- From:
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing
2025;41(23):1787-1794
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore healthcare professionals′knowledge and experience regarding trismus exercises following oral cancer treatment, aiming to provide reference for developing standardized exercise protocols.Methods:A phenomenological qualitative research approach was employed. Using purposive sampling, 16 healthcare professionals from the Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Rehabilitation Departments of the Ninth People′s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected between June and October 2023. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed using Colaizzi′s method.Results:Among the 16 research subjects, there were 7 males and 9 females, aged (43.63 ± 7.04) years. Four main themes emerged: methods for assessing trismus, including objective and subjective evaluations; types of trismus exercises, encompassing passive opening exercises, active opening exercises, and other oral movements; timing of trismus exercises, including when to start and when to end; factors influencing exercise effectiveness, including patient-specific factors and treatment-related factors.Conclusions:Rehabilitation for trismus following oral cancer treatment should combine objective and subjective assessments, primarily employing passive and active mouth opening exercises supplemented by other oral training methods. Exercises should begin as early as possible and be maintained long-term. When developing personalized exercise regimens, both individual patient characteristics and treatment factors should be considered.
