Short-term effects of range-of-motion exercise on temporomandibular joints of patients who undergo disc displacement with reduction of temporomandibular joint

Abstract

[Purpose] We investigated the short-term effects of an exercise therapy program that combined a range-of-motion exercise for the temporomandibular joint with self-traction therapy for patients with temporomandibular joint disorders who undergo disc displacement with reduction of the painful temporomandibular joint. [Participants and Methods] The program involved 31 patients with moderate or higher functional pain. The range-of-motion exercise for the temporomandibular joint was performed at the first visit by the therapist, and the patients were instructed to perform self-traction therapy in the morning and while bathing for the next 2 weeks, until their next visit. The maximum mouth opening distance and the visual analog scale scores at the first consultation and 2 weeks later were compared to assess the changes in pain on motion and mastication as well as the impact of the program on daily activities. [Results] All symptoms of the patients showed significant improvements after 2 weeks of starting the treatment. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that an exercise therapy program combining range-of-motion exercises for the temporomandibular joint and self-traction therapy may be an effective conservative therapy for reducing the pain and obstacles experienced by patients with temporomandibular joint disorders who undergo disc displacement with reduction of the painful temporomandibular joint.

Keywords: Range of motion exercise; Short-term treatment; Temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction.

Fig. 1.

Range-of-motion exercise for the temporomandibular joint (TMJROME) and self-traction therapy (STT). a: TMJROME. The therapist firmly holds the head in the left palm and palpates the impaired mandibular joint by using the first finger. The therapist presses the thumb of the right hand on the right side of the occlusal surface of the molar, holds the diaphysis with the other fingers, and then applies force to rotate the mandible in the anterior-lower direction. b: STT. The patient sits upright while leaning slightly forward. The patient holds the anterior teeth of the mandible with the index and middle finger, and the mental region with the thumbs. The patient slowly performs bouts of mandibular traction such that the mandible rotates in the anterior-lower direction.