INVESTIGATION AND COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF POSTURE EXERCISES ON DYSFUNCTION, POSTURE AND BALANCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH POSTERIOR EDENTULOUS AND FULL-TOOTHED TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER

INVESTIGATION AND COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF POSTURE EXERCISES ON DYSFUNCTION, POSTURE AND BALANCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH POSTERIOR EDENTULOUS AND FULL-TOOTHED TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between neck posture and balance in patients with posterior edentulous and full-toothed temporomandibular disorder and to compare the effectiveness of the physiotherapy program to be applied.

The study was planned as a quasi-experimental controlled study. A total of 26 patients with temporomandibular disorder, aged between 18-70 years, 13 of whom were in the Posterior Edentulous Group (PDG) and 13 were in the Fully Toothed Group (TDG), were included. Posture exercises and manual therapy were applied to both groups twice a week for six weeks. Mandibular range of motion, pain, muscle strength, deep neck flexor endurance, flexibility, shortness, range of motion (ROM), pressure pain threshold (BAE), psychological state, posture and balance were evaluated before and after exercise.

The results of the study showed that six weeks of postural exercises and manual therapy provided significant improvement in all values (p<0.05). A significant difference was found in pain, muscle strength, ROM, BAE and balance in PDG compared to TDG (p<0.05).

The results of the study showed that symptoms can be improved by giving posture exercises in patients with tempromandibular disorder. It was concluded that the improvement in PDG was higher than in TDG.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being diagnosed with Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder according to The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders
• Complaining of head or neck pain
• Having temporomandibular joint pain for at least 3 months
• Not having used an intraoral plaque before
• Able to follow the treatment protocol regularly
• Ability and willingness to communicate verbally

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being positive for COVID-19
• Sports injuries
• Presence of trauma
• Whiplash
• Degenerative changes
• Signs or symptoms of disc displacement, osteoarthrosis or osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint
• Post-operative conditions involving the cervical or temporomandibular region
• Burn involving the cervical region and the temporomandibular region
• Patients using analgesics or muscle relaxants up to 8 hours before the physical therapy procedure
• Those with hypermobility in cervical movements
• Those who have received physiotherapy or other treatment from the head / neck area in the last 12 months
• Acute infections or any systemic disorder
• Osteoporosis