Efficacy of Physiotherapy for Myogenic TMJ Disorder Treatment

This report examines the application of physiotherapy in treating myogenic Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, focusing on a study comparing the TheraBite device with standard physical therapy exercises. The analyzed article, a randomized controlled trial, assesses mandibular function, pain levels, and mouth opening in patients using TheraBite versus those undergoing standard physiotherapy. While TheraBite initially showed better mandibular function, both methods yielded similar results after three months, with no significant difference in pain management. The report concludes that physiotherapy effectively manages myogenic TMJ, requiring a 2-3 month period to demonstrate results, with standard physiotherapy offering long-lasting outcomes and ease of implementation.

Running head: PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR MYOGENIC TMJ DISORDER
Physiotherapy for myogenic TMJ disorder
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PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR MYOGENIC TMJ DISORDER
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Abstract of the article:.....................................................................................................................2
Comment:........................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................4
References:......................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction:
Temporomandibular disorder is also known as the most frequently reported type of
craniofacial disorder which is known as cranio mandibular dysfunction. This umbrella term
comprises of masticatory, temporomandibular joint and associated conditions. The most
important clinical manifestation of the diseases is the musculoskeletal pain (acute or chronic)
combined with mastocatory muscle dysfunction which is often exacerbated by even slight
movement of the jaw (Madani & Mirmortazavi, 2011). This assignment will focus on an article
that focuses on the application of physiotherapeutic intervention in order to relive the pain
associated with this disorder and provide a verdict on the usability of this intervention.
Abstract of the article:
For this review study, the article chosen is “Treatment of myogenic temporomandibular
disorder: a prospective randomized clinical trial, comparing a mechanical stretching device
(TheraBiteH) with standard physical therapy exercise” by Kraaijenga et al. (2014) This article
has been a randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) that focuses on the use of TheraBite, which
is a motion rehabilitation system along compared to a standard physiotherapeutic exercise
regimen for treating the myogenic TMJ disorder.
The authors have performed randomized control trial on the combination of the
application of TheraBite (TB), the jaw motion rehabilitation system, with comparison to standard
physiotherapy. With respect to outcome measurement, assessment of mandibular was done by
mandibular function impairment questionnaire, pain assessment was done based on visual
analogue scale, and measurement of maximum inter-incisor (mouth) opening (MIO) was by

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disposable TB range of motion scale. The verdict was decided upon the comparison between
TheraBite usage and use of standard PT exercises, 46 patients were given the TheraBite and 50
patients were tested for the use of just standard physical therapy or physiotherapy exercises. The
results after 6 weeks indicated that the patients that were using the TheraBite were at mush
greater level of mandibular function than the patents that were given just the standard
physiotherapy without the use of TheraBite. Although, there were no changes observed in the
context of pain management or relief for both of the treatment methods. However, within 3
months of the study, both of the patient groups did equally well without any statistical difference
noticed between the patient groups with TheraBite or standard physiotherapy (Kraaijenga et al.,
2014).
Comment:
This study has focused on the difference between the functionality of the standard
physiotherapeutic interventions and use of a passive jaw mobilization device TheraBite. This
study has brought forth authentic and reliable information on the effectiveness of both of the
treatment option. Commenting on the results of this article, it has to be mentioned that given a
standard amount of time to work, standard physiotherapeutic intervention can help manage the
myogenic TMJ disorders as effectively as the use of TheraBite. However, fascial manipulation
by the use of external devices like TheraBite has been proved to having a slight advantage than
other regular or standard physiotherapeutic interventions (Tuncer et al., 2013). Although, this
device only facilitates better jaw movement and opening within a shorter time; it has no
evidenced advantage on pain management than standard PT. On the other hand, the standard
physiotherapeutic intervention requires a set period of time before it can show visible results. As
described by Calixtre et al. (2014), the use of standard physiotherapy leads to better patent

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outcomes and long-lasting results and has also been considered simpler and easier to implement
by the patients as well.
Conclusion:
Hence, on a concluding note, it can be stated that the intervention of physiotherapeutic
intervention does have significant effect on managing the myogenic TMJ, however a set time
period of 2-3 months is required for the effect of this treatment to show effects when compared
to other alternatives.

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References:
Calixtre, L. B., Moreira, R. F. C., Franchini, G. H., Alburquerque‐Sendín, F., & Oliveira, A. B.
(2015). Manual therapy for the management of pain and limited range of motion in
subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review of
randomised controlled trials. Journal of oral rehabilitation, 42(11), 847-861.
Kraaijenga, S., van der Molen, L., van Tinteren, H., Hilgers, F., & Smeele, L. (2014). Treatment
of myogenic temporomandibular disorder: a prospective randomized clinical trial,
comparing a mechanical stretching device (TheraBite®) with standard physical therapy
exercise. CRANIO®, 32(3), 208-216.
Madani, A. S., & Mirmortazavi, A. (2011). Comparison of three treatment options for painful
temporomandibular joint clicking. Journal of oral science, 53(3), 349-354.
Tuncer, A. B., Ergun, N., Tuncer, A. H., & Karahan, S. (2013). Effectiveness of manual therapy
and home physical therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized
controlled trial. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 17(3), 302-308.