Clinical Outcomes of Deep Transverse Friction Massage and Active Exercises on Pain, Quality of Life, and Maximum Mouth Opening in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders: A Case Series

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder refers to a cluster of conditions characterized by pain in the TMJ or its surrounding tissues, functional limitations of the mandible, or clicking in the TMJ during motion. The TMJ is a bilateral synovial joint on both sides of the craniomandibular complex, involved in chewing, swallowing, speech, and other automatic movements such as yawning, grinding, or clenching. A total of 10 patients with TMJ dysfunction were included in this case series, and all were diagnosed and referred by a dentist. Physical examination was carried out by the therapist to check for muscle spasm, restricted range of motion if available, clicking sound in mouth opening or closing, intensity of pain, and quality of life using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire scale and the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) questionnaire. Deep transverse friction massage (DTFM) and conventional therapy were given to all patients for three sessions per week for six weeks. The combined approach of DTFM and conventional physiotherapy may effectively reduce pain, improve jaw function, increase mouth opening, and enhance quality of life in patients with TMJ dysfunction.