[Construction and initial application of masticatory function rehabilitation program for patients after mandibular...

To construct a masticatory function rehabilitation program for patients after mandibular reconstruction, and to explore its preliminary application effect.

Based on the complex intervention framework and the theory of self-care of cancer symptoms, the current situation and needs of masticatory function rehabilitation of 21 patients after mandibular reconstruction were summarized through literature review and semi-structured interviews, the first draft of the intervention plan was formed, and 12 experts in related fields were selected for demonstration and revision to form the final draft of the rehabilitation plan. A total of 16 patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction after denture restoration in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March to June 2024 were selected by objective sampling method. They were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group using the random number table method, with 8 cases in each group. On the basis of routine nursing, the experimental group implemented a masticatory function rehabilitation program, while the control group received usual care. At 1 month, 3 months and 6 months of intervention, the masticatory ability test, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) and Sato questionnaire scores were compared between the two groups.

A total of 1 round of expert demonstration was conducted, and the effective questionnaire recovery rate was 100%, the expert authority coefficient was 0.908. The masticatory function rehabilitation program for patients after mandibular reconstruction included two dimensions of self-regulation skills/ability and self-efficacy, as well as goal setting, self-monitoring, reactive thinking/decision-making, action, symptom assessment, response management, timely encouragement, regular assessment of patients' psychological factors, and regular assessment of family members, totally 9 items and specific contents. The preliminary application results of the scheme showed that there were statistically significant effects between the two groups at different time points (P＜0.05). The results of simple effect analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the masticatory ability test scores between the two groups before intervention, at 1 month after intervention, and at 3 months after intervention (P＞0.05). After 6 months of intervention, the score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the JFLS scores between the two groups before intervention and at 1 month after intervention (P＞0.05). After 3 months of intervention, the score of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P＜0.05). At the three time points, there was no significant difference in the Sato questionnaire scores between the two groups (P＞0.05).

The masticatory function rehabilitation program for patients after mandibular reconstruction constructed in this study is comprehensive, scientific and feasible. The implementation of this protocol is helpful for the rehabilitation of masticatory function and the improvement of the quality of life of patients after mandibular reconstruction.