14/09/2026
OPEN: optimising patient experience in head and neck radiotherapy, a phase 3 randomised control trial comparing open versus closed face masks.
The Green Journal September 12
2026. Full Article: https://www.thegreenjournal.com/article/S0167-8140(26)00619-5/fulltext
Highlights
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First reported results of a fully open mask in a large randomised controlled trial.
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Open masks improved patient comfort while maintaining set up accuracy.
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Significant improvement in patient overall experience.
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No increased resource utilisation for open versus closed masks.
“Conclusion
This landmark randomized trial, involving over 200 patients and employing SGRT provides strong evidence that open-face thermoplastic masks improve patient experience and while providing equivalent setup accuracy supporting the adoption of open‑mask SGRT‑based immobilisation as a patient centred solution. Importantly, we did so without increasing workload, and without any compromise in patient safety. Given the strength of the data now available, it is time for the radiation oncology community to broadly embrace open-face mask techniques for patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy.”
🎭 This research and its results give me immense joy. As a Head and Neck Cancer patient, successfully treated with 33 sessions of in 2013, a Full Face Mask was the only option offered to me. I experienced intense claustrophobia. It was traumatic. Thank you to the OPEN Trial team for this research which will establish a new standard of care.
🎥 Here is a video link to an interview with OPEN Trial team members.
Prof Sinead Brennan, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Principal Investigator OPEN Trial
St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network Ireland.
Roisin OMaolalai, Radiation Therapist & Research Manager
Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group (IRROG)
Ciaran Malone, Senior Medical Physicist, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network Ireland.
OPEN Trial - Optimising Patient Experience in Head and Neck Radiotherapy: https://youtu.be/pRgDy2yDq9A
