Effects on Pain and Function of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Patients With Painful Disc Displacement With Reduction

Effects on Pain and Function of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Patients With Painful Disc Displacement With Reduction

Effects on Pain and Function When Implementing an Orthopedic Manual Therapy Intervention Compared to an Exercise Program Intervention in Patients With Painful Disc Displacement With Reduction

The objective of this study was to compare the short- and medium-term effects in pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and function of implementing a manual therapy (MT) intervention treatment combined with a therapeutic exercise (TE) program, versus an isolated TE program and a non-intervention in patients with disc displacement with reduction (DDCR) with pain.

Study Design: The study adopted a single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial approach. Adults with disc displacement with reduction clinical diagnosis, pain and loss of function were eligible for inclusion. Intervention: Patients in the study were randomized into three groups, 25 subjects to the manual therapy and therapeutic exercise group, 25 to the therapeutic exercise group and 25 to the no intervention group. Subjects were excluded if there was presence of surgical history, dentistry treatment and use of medication. The dependent variables were the presence of clicking, TMJ function, cervical disability, pain, and range of motion of the TMJ. Subjects in every group were assessed after four weeks of intervention and after eight weeks.

The patients assigned to this group performed a self-treatment program that included three coordination exercises, two post-isometric relaxation (contraction-relaxation) and one self-traction. All exercises were performed in front of a mirror. It was performed every 3 hours, 5 times a day, for 4 weeks. The patient was instructed and supervised by a physiotherapist until they were executed correctly. All participants were provided with a video where the procedure and dosage of each exercise was described in detail.

The patients assigned to this group performed the exercise program and also received a manual therapy treatment applied by a physiotherapist. Two sessions were held per week for 4 weeks (8 sessions). Treatment consisted of traction, mobilization, and friction massage of the muscles of mastication.

The patients assigned to this group did not receive any type of intervention during the 4 weeks. They were asked not to change their habits or receive any other type of treatment.

Effects on pain when implementing an orthopedic manual therapy intervention compared to an exercise program intervention in patients with painful disc displacement with reduction

Effects on function when implementing an orthopedic manual therapy intervention compared to an exercise program intervention in patients with painful disc displacement with reduction

Prevalence of jaw disfunction in patients with disc displacement, assessed using Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20.

Inclusion Criteria: Disc displacement with reduction diagnosis according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders; in the last 30 days, any TMJ noise present during the exam or clicking detected with palpation during at least one of three repetitions of jaw opening, closing, protrusion, or laterotrusion movements. equal or greater than 30 mm on the VAS scale Age is greater than or equal to18 years. Exclusion Criteria: Participants were excluded if they had received interventions of TMJ surgery or TMJ steroid injections in the previous month, a rheumatoid diagnosis, neurological or psychiatric diseases, or pregnancy.

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