Handout

Managing Trismus: What We Know, What We Don’t, and What You Can Try

Therapy Insights Member Exclusive
Print Resource — US Letter — 1 page

Population:

Adult

Discipline:

SLP

Diagnosis:

Dysphagia

References:

  • Karlsson, O., Karlsson, T., Pauli, N., Andréll, P., & Finizia, C. (2021). Jaw exercise therapy for the treatment of trismus in head and neck cancer: a prospective three-year follow-up study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 3793-3800.
  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Trismus in head and neck cancer: Exercise-based treatment (Evidence summary). ASHA Evidence Maps. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  • Charters, E., Dunn, M., Cheng, K., Aung, V., Mukherjee, P., Froggatt, C., ... & Clark, J. R. (2022). Trismus therapy devices: A systematic review. Oral Oncology, 126, 105728.
This handout helps patients understand what trismus is, why it’s so hard to treat, and what options might support recovery. It includes transparent information about the limits of current research and offers practical, compassionate strategies patients can try or discuss with their care team.
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