Lymphedema and Trismus after Head and Neck Cancer, and the Impact on Body Image and Quality of Life.

Background: To assess the prevalence of chronic lymphedema and trismus in patients > 6 months after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, and to explore how the severity of these conditions correlates with body image and quality of life.

Methods: The cross-sectional sample included 59 patients, treated for HNC between six months to three years ago. Physical measurements were performed to assess the presence of external lymphedema and trismus (<36 mm).

Efficacy of exercise therapy during radiotherapy to prevent reduction in mouth opening in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2 protocols of exercise therapy to avoid reduction in mouth opening (MO) in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Study Design: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind, 3-arm, parallel-group, prevention clinical trial. Ninety patients were randomized into 3 groups to perform exercises during radiotherapy treatment: intervention group 1 (G1); intervention group 2 (G2); and control group (CG).

An initial study on the effect of functional electrical stimulation in erectile dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 150 million men worldwide. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy has shown a high regenerative capacity for smooth muscle cells and, therefore, is being increasingly adopted. FES can be a beneficial treatment option when the cause of ED is related to degeneration of cavernous smooth muscle.

Jaw mobility changes in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

Background: Radiation therapy is a therapeutic modality widely used for treatment of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) neoplasms. However, its action is not restricted to tumor cells, and it may cause a variety of adverse reactions, including reduced jaw mobility.

Material And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess changes in jaw mobility in patients with UADT cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

Evaluation of acute radiation effects on mandibular movements of patients with head and neck cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate radiotherapy effects (RT) on mandibular movements of patients with head and neck cancer (H&NC) and associate them to the variables: functional capacity, radiation field, disease staging, type of feeding, concomitant chemotherapy and total dose of RT.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with H&NC were followed up at the RT service. Physical examination was performed in 3 follow up time points: before the beginning of RT (T0), between 14th and 17th session of RT (T1) and after the last session of RT (T2).