Quality of Life and Sleep in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders

Quality of Life and Sleep in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders. A Protocol for a Randomized Control Trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of two physiotherapeutic intervention programs on the quality of life in patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).

Study design: Randomized, longitudinal, and prospective clinical trial with two intervention groups.

Population: Subjects aged 18-65 years with subacute temporomandibular disorders.

The study will be carried out at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy of the University of Alcalá. A total of 30 subjects with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) will be selected and randomly assigned into two intervention groups.

The first group will receive a physiotherapy treatment based on a Manual Therapy program targeting the orofacial region, combined with a Cervical Therapeutic Exercise program. In contrast, the second group will receive a physiotherapy treatment based on a Manual Therapy program for the orofacial region, combined with an Orofacial Therapeutic Exercise program.

Both groups will undergo a total of six treatment sessions over a period of six weeks (1 session per week). Each manual therapy session targeting the orofacial region will last 30 minutes. The manual therapy (MT) techniques will include a combination of neuromuscular and articular manual techniques.

The study will assess the following variables: quality of life, sleep quality, pressure pain threshold, maximum pain-free mouth opening, perceived pain, and treatment adherence.

Measurements will be taken pre-treatment, post-treatment and a follow-up at 8 weeks

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between 18 and 65 years of age with subacute Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).
• Diagnosis of TMD based on: The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). And The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD).
• Willingness to participate in the study and signing of the informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals younger than 18 years or older than 65 years.
• Medical history or systemic conditions, including: Diagnosis of neurological or neuromuscular disorders (such as multiple sclerosis, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia). Systemic or inflammatory joint diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia). Presence of severe psychiatric disorders. Previous diagnosis of cancer in the craniofacial or cervical region.
• Previous interventions (e.g., surgery involving the TMJ or the orofacial and cervical regions).
• History of trauma in the region, including mandibular trauma, whiplash injuries, or fractures in the area.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.