Patients’ experiences of therapeutic jaw exercises in the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain—A postal questionnaire study

Abstract

Background The most common non‐dental pain in the orofacial region is pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and jaw exercises are a common treatment in these cases. Since masticatory myofascial pain has components of an affective and cognitive nature, knowledge about the patients’ experiences of the condition and treatment is important. Objective The aim was to study the patients’ experiences of jaw exercises in the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain. Methods A questionnaire, containing 24 statements that should be answered according to a five‐item verbal Likert scale, was sent to 150 consecutive patients with masticatory myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD after they had been treated with jaw exercises for 3‐12 months. Results The response rate was 73% (n = 109), and 79% of the responders were women. 71% of the patients reported that it was easier to remember the jaw exercises if they put them in conjunction with an already established routine. Before examination, 49% of the patients suspected serious disease behind their symptoms, but these concerns were greatly relieved by the information provided. As a result, 78% reported that information about the underlying cause of their symptoms made them more involved in the treatment. Finally, 72% of the respondents reported that the jaw exercises were effective in reducing their symptoms. Conclusions Information about the cause of the symptoms and the treatment is important to reassure and make the patient involved in the treatment. Most patients report that jaw exercises are an effective treatment and they appreciated to have tools to tackle the problems themselves if the symptoms should return.

Adhesive dentistry sensory stimulus technique as a neuromechanism for the treatment of orofacial pain associated to temporomandibular disorders: Case study

“…These authors also noted the fact that these patients having their own tools, like the jaw exercises, to tackle the problems themselves in case of the symptoms appearing again was very appreciated. 57 This is in line with our study, since the implementation of the adhesive dentistry stimulus sensory technique not only advices the patient on what kind of oral motor functions the patient has to execute in order to provide consistency to the treatment, but implies a commitment of the patient with TMD treatment. Our findings also highlight the importance of individual and adequate information when counselling the patient of some of the parafunctional habits related with the functional disturbances of the TMJ, which accordingly to the adhesive dentistry stimulus sensory technique can provide the breakdown of a vicious cycle like tooth clenching.…”

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stress Levels and Occurrence of Stomatoghnatic System Disorders (SSDs) among Physiotherapy Students in Poland

“…They were asked to fill in the survey consisting of two parts: the first part included a respondent's particulars (age, sex, year of study) and ten close-ended questions concerning the symptoms of SSDs and pain (Likert scale) [39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. The second part consisted of standardized psychological questionnaires, PSS10 (perceived stress scale), Mini-Cope (Inventory for measuring coping with stress), DS14 (Type-D scale) [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]. As a result of the activities performed, 150 participants (study group-P1) with SSD symptoms and pain were selected from the group.…”

Associations of tissue damage induced inflammatory plasticity in masseter muscle with the resolution of chronic myalgia

“…Hence, CFA intra-muscular injection does not optimally represent TMDM. Usually, TMDM is accompanied by low inflammation caused by tissue damage during TMDM 14 – 16 . Muscle damage can be stimulated be tendon ligation, muscle crush, etc.…”