Background:
The present study was conceptualized as a pilot study to examine the effects of a 3-week program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique (SCST), phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises on pain and functions in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).
Methods:
Seven participants (mean age 25.85 years) diagnosed with TMD having pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with decreased jaw opening were recruited for the study. Treatment interventions consisting of SCST, phonophoresis (ultrasound gel mixed with diclofenac gel), heat therapy, and stretching (mouth-opening) exercises were performed 3 days a week for 3 weeks. SCST was performed on the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles. No control group was present in the study.
Results:
Paired samples t test revealed a significant difference in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (decreased by 50%, P < .001) and jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) (reduced by 59.58%, P < .001) scores after 3 weeks of intervention. A large effect size (Cohen d = −3.00 for NPRS and −3.16 for JFLS) was observed for both variables. No correlation (R = 0) was found between the baseline values of NPRS and JFLS.
Conclusion:
A 3-week program consisting of SCST, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises was effective in reducing the pain and improving the functions related to TMJ in patients suffering from TMD. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to reach a definite conclusion.
Even a thought for an outbreak of an infectious disease provokes unwarranted panic and emotional distress in population causing development of negative impacts on psychological and psychosocial parameters of an individual. So, in case of any real epidemic/pandemic outbreak the normal psychological and psychosocial parameters start getting affected gradually which rise in amplitude as time pass while the disease is in air. Immediately, starts the phase of stress and fear of either being a carrier or a healthy individual who will have to live a compromised life for a particular duration. Previous studies have shown quarantine period to grimly affect individuals along with their health care providers which can even go along for the coming years. These impacts if controlled by early execution of strategies through governmental, administrative and social bodies working resourcefully and effectively can reduce the distress before being amplified. The present paper outlines the negative impacts of quarantine on psychological and psychosocial domain in individuals put in quarantine along with health staff engaged in their treatment. In addition, the article also narrates and suggests recommendations after reviewing articles from reputed database published following the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS CoV) with added suggestions in reducing the effects during and after quarantine.
Mobile device-based healthcare has emerged as a game-changing method of telerehabilitation. Society, including the scientific community, is paying more attention to smart health rehabilitation during the COVID-19 era. This study provides a review of smart health rehabilitation in palliative care. Alongside monitoring, some systems provide additional patient-caregiver communication and progress management. The findings of this study may aid researchers and clinicians in the development of smartphone-based rehabilitation systems’ functionalities and interactions, as well as in the selection of technology in palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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