Effects of a rehabilitation program in patients with temporomandibular disorders. A case series

Objective The purpose of this prospective case series study was to evaluate the effects of a rehabilitation program based on Splint Therapy (ST), Rhythmic Temporomandibular Joint Mobilization (RTJM), and Self-management (SM) on jaw functional limitations, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold and myoelectric activity in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs).Methods A single group of 17 participants (14 females and 3 males; mean age 31.18 ± 9.60 years) with symptoms of TMDs according to Research Diagnosis Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was evaluated. Jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS), pain intensity (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and myoelectric activity (MA) were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up after an 8-week rehabilitation program. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS package version 20.0. A p = <0.05 was considered statistically significant and an effect size = >0.8 was considered clinically significant.Results Statistically significant differences were found at post-treatment and follow-up for JFLS, VAS, and PPT (p = <0.05). Clinically significant improvements were observed in JFLS (d = 1.99), VAS (d = 1.28), and PPT at post-treatment (d = >0.8). No statistically significant effect was observed for MA at any time point, except for isometric MA in the right masseter between T1 and T2 (p = 0.04).Conclusion This prospective case series suggests that a rehabilitation program based on ST, RTJM, and SM could improve jaw function, pain intensity, and pressure pain threshold in patients with TMDs.