Effectiveness of Cervical Treatment in Wind Musicians With Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Effectiveness of Cervical Treatment in Wind Musicians With Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) consists of a series of multifactorial signs and symptoms that occur in the orofacial region, with pain being the most common symptom. There is a close biomechanical and anatomical relationship between the cervical region and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through the trigemino-spinal nucleus.

Objectives: To comparatively assess the improvement in subjects with TMD when adding cervical manual therapy to a postural treatment. Additionally, to determine if both cervical treatments separately produce changes in the TMJ.

Materials and methods: An experimental study of randomized controlled clinical trial type was conducted. The study involved 30 wind instrument players randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). After obtaining consent, measurements were taken for maximum mouth opening (MMO), cervical range of motion, and pain threshold to pressure (PTP) in the masseter and temporalis muscles. Both groups underwent active cervical postural treatment for 4 weeks, and the EG additionally received a cervical manual therapy protocol. An initial assessment was conducted before the intervention, and a final assessment was done one week after the last intervention. The statistical program SPSS was used for data analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acceptance of written informed consent.
• Playing a wind instrument.
• Age between 18-40 years.
• Pain in the cranio-cervico-mandibular region and/or masticatory muscles.
• Hypertrophy in the masticatory muscles.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of trauma and/or fracture in the cranial and/or facial region.
• Rheumatic injury or degenerative disease.
• Surgical intervention on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
• Malformations of the cervical or cranial spine.
• Vestibular, circulatory, or neurological disorders.
• Degenerative or infectious joint diseases.
• Current orthodontic treatment.
• Receiving physiotherapy treatment during the two weeks prior to the study or during the study.