Tens and Rocabado Exercises on TMJ Dysfunction

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Plus Rocabado Exercises on Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction After Head and Neck Surgeries

72 patients who suffers from limited mouth opening and pain in the temporomandibular joint will be selected from oncology department in Zagazig and Cairo university hospitals: patients will be assigned randomly into three groups equal in number, 24 in each group: (group A) will receive Rocabado exercises plus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traditional exercises .(group B) will receive Rocabado exercises and traditional exercises.(groub C) will receive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traditional exercises.

Patients at group A: patients will receive Rocabado exercises plus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traditional exercises For 8 weeks : Rocabado exercises form of 2 parts , 6×6×6 exercises and mobilization exercises part (1): 6×6×6 exercises are (1).The rest position of the tongue , (2). Shoulder retraction exercises, (3). Stabilized head flexion ,( 4). The axial extension of the neck , (5).Control of TMJ rotation , (6).Rhythmic stabilization technique .these 6 exercises are repeated 6 times a day for 20 minutes for each repetition.

part (2): Joint mobilization (non-thrust manipulation) includes Distraction, Distraction given with anterior glide, Distraction given with anterior and lateral glide right/left & Lateral glide without distraction. . These mobilization exercises is done by the therapist 3 times a week for 20 min ,each mobilization is performed for 10-15 times and repeated for 5-6 times.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device(TENS):

TENS is used, with a maximum frequency of 120 Hz and an intensity range of 0 to 99.5 mA and the pulse width is between 50-200 microseconds.

TENS electrodes (diameter 35-52 mm) are placed bilaterally on mandibular elevator muscles, on the superficial masseter muscle above the gonial angle, and bilaterally on the upper back (Cacho et al.,2022).

The TENS will be applied for 20 min 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks.

Traditional exercises are passive , active Rom exercises and massage, these exercises are performed for 30 minutes and repeated 2 times daily.

1. Passive ROM exercises are done by stacked tongue depressors and number of tongue depressors are increased when improvement occur .
2. Active Rom exercises are mouth opening and closing ,side way movement and protrusion repeated for 10-15 times with holding for 5 seconds for each position.
3. Massaging for cheeks muscles for 2minutes .

Patients at group B: patients will receive Rocabado exercises and traditional exercises For 8 weeks : Rocabado exercises form of 2 parts , 6×6×6 exercises and mobilization exercises part (1): 6×6×6 exercises are (1).The rest position of the tongue ,(2). Shoulder retraction exercises, (3) .Stabilized head flexion , (4).The axial extension of the neck , (5).Control of TMJ rotation ,( 6).Rhythmic stabilization technique .these 6 exercises are repeated 6 times a day for 20 min for each repetition.

part(2): Joint mobilization (non-thrust manipulation) includes Distraction, Distraction given with anterior glide, Distraction given with anterior and lateral glide right/left & Lateral glide without distraction. . These mobilization exercises is done by the therapist 3 times a week for 20 min ,each mobilization is performed for 10-15 times and repeated for 5-6 times.

Traditional exercises are passive , active Rom exercises and massage, these exercises are performed for 30 minutes and repeated 2 times daily.

1. Passive ROM exercises are done by stacked tongue depressors and number of tongue depressors are increased when improvement occur .
2. Active Rom exercises are mouth opening and closing ,side way movement and protrusion repeated for 10-15 times with holding for 5 seconds for each position.
3. Massaging for cheeks for 2minutes .

patients at group C: patient will receive Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device(TENS) and traditional exercises: TENS is used, with a maximum frequency of 120 Hz and an intensity range of 0 to 99.5 mA and the pulse width is between 50-200 microseconds.

TENS electrodes (diameter 35-52 mm) are placed bilaterally on mandibular elevator muscles, on the superficial masseter muscle above the gonial angle, and bilaterally on the upper back (Cacho et al.,2022).

The TENS will be applied for 20 min 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks.

Traditional exercises are passive , active Rom exercises and massage, these exercises are performed for 30 minutes and repeated 2 times daily.

1. Passive ROM exercises are done by stacked tongue depressors and number of tongue depressors are increased when improvement occur .
2. Active Rom exercises are mouth opening and closing ,side way movement and protrusion repeated for 10-15 times with holding for 5 seconds for each position.
3. Massaging for cheeks for 2 minutes .

Inclusion Criteria:

• The subject selection will be according to the following criteria:
• Age range between 40-60 years.
• Male and female patients will participate in the study.
• All patients undergo head and neck cancer surgeries (oral cancer surgeries).
• All patients will start treatment within 6 months of radiotherapy termination.
• All patients have pain in different degrees.
• Restricted range of mouth opening < 35 mm.
• All patients enrolled to the study will have their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

The potential participants will be excluded if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Other morbid conditions in the temporomandibular region as rheumatic diseases and neurological diseases.
• Presence of other disorders involving the TMJ (e.g., myalgia, degenerative joint disease, or collagen vascular disease).
• Arthritis.
• Fracture around Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).
• Dislocation or subluxation of TMJ.
• Inflammatory disorders of TMJ.