Review Article

Year : 2025 | Volume : 9 | Issue : 2 | Page : 20-32

Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in Oral Cancer Patients  – A Systematic Review 

Parasakthi Madhavan 1, Kavitha Sanjeev 2

1- Research Scholar, Dept. of Oral Pathology, SRM Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

2 -Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, SRM Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Address for Correspondence:
Dr M Parasakthi,  
Research Scholar, Dept. of Oral Pathology
SRM Dental College, Bharathi Salai,
Ramapuram,
Chennai- 600089.
Tamil Nadu, India
Email: dr.parasakthi2006@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is the sixteenth most common cancer worldwide, with a rising incidence in countries such as India. Cancer-associated fatigue is common during treatment, and physiotherapy may improve functional outcomes and quality of life through an interdisciplinary approach.

Aim: To systematically evaluate the role of physiotherapy in the management of oral cancer patients.

Methodology: This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251063114). A comprehensive search of ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and manual references was conducted. Original research articles published in English between 2010 and 2025 were included. Reviews, narrative reviews, case reports, and letters to the editor were excluded.

Results: Thirty-six potential articles were identified. After screening, five clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The studies evaluated physiotherapy interventions for patients with oral cancer and demonstrated improvements in various aspects. Also, these studies proved that physiotherapy plays a significant role in improving mouth opening, reducing pain, and functional recovery.

Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that physiotherapy is an effective adjunct in oral cancer management, significantly improving mouth opening, reducing pain, and enhancing functional outcomes. Integrating physiotherapy into multidisciplinary care may improve patient rehabilitation and overall quality of life.

Keywords: Physiotherapy; Oral cancer; Physical therapy; Systematic review.

Financial support and sponsorship

Self-funded

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest

How to cite this article:
Parasakthi Madhavan. Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in Oral Cancer Patients – A Systematic Review; Int J Orofac.Biol.2025; 9 (2):20-32.