Exercise therapy for craniomandibular disorders.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of exercise therapy for the treatment of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs). DESIGN: Before-after trial. All patients were assigned to a waiting list, serving as a no-treatment control period. SETTING: Outpatient clinic for physical medicine and rehabilitation of the University of Vienna. PATIENTS: Thirty consecutive patients suffering from CMD with anteridr disc displacement with reduction who were consulting a CMD service. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (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. INTERVENTIONS: Active and passive jaw movement exercises, correction of body posture, and relaxation techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (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. CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy seems to be useful in the treatment of anterior disc displacement with reduction.