Exercise therapy for craniomandibular disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of exercise therapy for the treatment of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs).


METHODS
Before-after trial. All patients were assigned to a waiting list, serving as a no-treatment control period.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic for physical medicine and rehabilitation of the University of Vienna.


METHODS
Thirty consecutive patients suffering from CMD with anteridr disc displacement with reduction who were consulting a CMD service.


METHODS
(1) symptoms lasting at least 3 months, (2) pain in the temporomandibular region, (3) a positive axiography, and (4) evidence of postural dysfunction. Twenty-six patients completed the study; no adverse effects occurred.


METHODS
Active and passive jaw movement exercises, correction of body posture, and relaxation techniques.


METHODS
(1) Pain at rest, (2) pain at stress, (3) impairment, and (4) mouth opening at baseline, before and after treatment, and at 6-month follow-up.


RESULTS
During the control period, no changes occurred. After the treatment, pain and impairment were significantly reduced (Wilcoxon test, p < .001). Four patients had a restricted mouth opening, in contrast to 15 before treatment (chi2 test, p < .005). Joint clicking vanished in 13.3% and was reduced in another 13.3% (chi2 test, p < .01). These results did not change until follow-up. Seventy-five percent of the patients were treated successfully.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise therapy seems to be useful in the treatment of anterior disc displacement with reduction.
Nicolakis
P
P
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna, Austria.
Erdogmus
B
B
Kopf
A
A
Djaber-Ansari
A
A
Piehslinger
E
E
Fialka-Moser
V
V
D000328:Adult; D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012146:Rest; D016896:Treatment Outcome