Evaluation of the Effects of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Interventions in Patients With Bruxism

Evaluation of the Effects of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Interventions in Patients With Bruxism

Bruxism is a multifactorial condition that affects the masticatory muscles and often requires multidisciplinary management. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of manual therapy and home exercise on pain intensity, number of myofascial trigger points, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical mobility, head posture, muscle thickness, stiffness, and activity in individuals with bruxism.

Methods: Thirty individuals diagnosed with bruxism were randomly assigned to two intervention groups: the Home Exercise Group (HEG) and the Manual Therapy Group (MTG). All participants received education about bruxism. The HEG performed a supervised home-based exercise program three times per week for eight weeks, supported by instructional videos and weekly follow-up. The MTG received intraoral and extraoral manual therapy targeting the jaw and cervical regions twice a week over the same period. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), trigger point count (palpation), TMJ mobility (ruler), head posture and cervical mobility (goniometer), muscle thickness and stiffness (ultrasound), and muscle activity (electromyography) were evaluated before and after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteer students aged between 18-25
• Answered "yes" to at least two of the six questions in the Bruxism questionnaire.

Is there anyone hear you grinding your teeth at night? Do you feel fatigue or pain in your jaw when you wake up in the morning? Do you feel pain in your teeth and gums when you wake up in the morning? Do you have a headache when you wake up in the morning? Do you notice that you grind your teeth during the day? Do you notice that you clench your teeth during the day?

-Having at least two clinical signs of bruxism Abnormal tooth wear on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth Abfraction Gingival recession and/or cervical defect Tongue indentations or damage to the inside of the cheek Tense facial and jaw muscles, muscle sensitivity, and masseteric hypertrophy upon bidigital palpation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Characterized by a neurological disease,
• Botulinum toxin injections into the masticatory muscles in the last year,
• Using antidepressant-type medications that will affect the central nervous system,
• Receiving occlusal splint treatment,
• Having more than two molar teeth missing in the posterior
• Individuals who cannot cooperate