Physical Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Closed Lock

Randomised Controlled Trial on Physical Therapy PT) for TMJ Closed Lock

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Physical Therapy (PT) on pain and mandibular function in patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADD-R) or "closed lock" of the TMJ and this in a randomized controlled trial design.

The study evaluated the effect of extra, technical PT over the traditional information on the benign nature of the disease and the advice to refrain from overuse or misuse of the masticatory system as in parafunctions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients were recruited from the Oral Pain and Dysfunction Clinic and strictly satisfied the RDC-TMD criteria for .for disc displacement without reduction with (group IIb) or without (group IIc) limitation of mouth opening, based upon history and clinical examination. Additionally, pain experienced during the first examination had to be ≥ 35mm on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 100mm.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients were excluded if their medical history mentioned orofacial traumata (contusion or fracture), systemic disorders (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia), cervical disorders (operationalized as complaints, pain or referral patterns of pain provoked during movements of the cervical spine), neurologic disorders (e.g. trigeminal neuralgia, migraine or tension type headache), drug or alcohol abuse, use of antidepressant or hormonal medication. Participants did not receive therapy for symptoms of TMD within the last 2 months.