Stability of physical therapy effects on temporomandibular disorder

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physical therapy contributes to mitigate temporomandibular disorder symptoms because, in addition to stimulating proprioception and the production of joint synovial fluid, it improves adhered muscle fibers elasticity. This study aimed at evaluating the stability of therapeutic results in a follow-up period post-physical therapy in temporomandibular disorder patients. METHODS: Participated in the study 25 individuals of both genders, with temporomandibular disorder diagnosis. After a multimodal physical therapy program during 10 weeks, which included self-care guidance and home exercises, participants were re-evaluated by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and algometry. Results obtained immediately after treatment were compared to results of the evaluation carried out after two months of follow-up. RESULTS: From 25 participants, with mean age of 31.6 years, 76% had no temporomandibular disorder diagnosis immediately after treatment and from these, 68% have maintained this result in the two-month follow-up period. With regard to joint noises, 60% of participants have remained with no noises and pressure pain threshold values had no statistically significant differences between evaluations. CONCLUSION: Multimodal physical therapy intervention, combined with self-care guidance and home exercises has produced, in this study, positive and long-lasting effects on temporomandibular disorder symptoms, maintaining results for two months after treatment completion.

Fundamentos e Práticas da Fisioterapia 6

“…Enfim, Bontempo et al (2016), observou em seu estudo que os pacientes que associaram os autocuidados com a acupuntura auricular obtiveram porcentagens maiores da redução dos dias com dor durante a semana e a intensidade da dor. Priebe et al (2015), relatou que exercícios de autocuidado apresentam benefícios comprovados e juntamente com a educação dos pacientes, constituem fatores relevantes para manutenção do tratamento e continuidade terapêutica, além disso, possuem baixo custo e perpetuam os efeitos do tratamento fisioterápico, cujo efeito possui durabilidade, mas constata-se seu declínio no decorrer de dois meses. Bontempo et al (2016), diz que a resposta do organismo com a acupuntura parece ser mais rápida, reduzindo a intensidade dos sintomas, muitas vezes fazendoos desaparecer.…”