Is PNF Application Effective on Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Medipol Health Group

Status: Completed

Conditions: TMD; Pain; TMJ Disorder

Treatments: Other: Rocabado's 6x6 Exercises; Other: PNF Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06087432

E-10840098-772.02-7705

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare effects of Rocabado exercises which is conventional physiotherapy treatment alone vs. combine it with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in people with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) with forward head posture. The main question aims to answer:

• Does adding neck and jaw PNF techniques to the treatment affect the pain and functional status of the jaw compared to Rocabado exercises alone?

Participants will be randomized into two groups (Group 1: only Rocabado exercises, Group 2: Rocabado + PNF) and perform 8 weeks long exercises. They will be assessed in the beginning of the study and at the end of the 8th week.

Full description

Infrared heat will be applied to the neck and face areas for 15 minutes for individuals with TMD with forward head posture in both groups. Then Group 1 will perform Rocabado exercises only, and Group 2 will perform PNF exercises in addition to Rocabado exercises. Exercises will be demonstrated and applied by a physiotherapist at the university clinic.

Pain intensity, pain threshold, TMJ functions, joint range of motion and Mandibular Function are among the parameters to be evaluated. All evaluations will be made by a blinded evaluator at baseline (baseline t=0), before exercise and after exercise (post-exercise, t=8.week).

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of TMD according to the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD),
• Presence of trigger points in the relevant muscles,
• Presence of pain

Exclusion criteria

• Intra-articular or degenerative joint disorders and subluxation requiring urgent treatment;
• History of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or cervical region surgery in the last 3 months;
• Treatment history from relevant areas;
• Presence of rheumatic diseases, including TMJ diseases;
• TMJ instability or fracture;
• Presence of perception-cognition disorder;
• Presence of chronic pain such as trigeminal neuralgia
• Orthopedic, neurological or rheumatological cervical disorders affecting jaw movements
• History of surgery in the jaw, head and neck area
• Presence of vertigo that prevents head movements during exercise

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Group 1

Active Comparator group

Description:

Rocabado's 6 x 6 exercise program has been found to be beneficial in reducing pain and increasing masticatory muscle function, as well as improving forward head posture, correcting limited joint mobility, muscle length limitation, and postural and functional limitations. Rocabado's 6x6 program includes 6 basic components: tongue rest position, TMJ rotation control, cervical spine release, shoulder girdle retraction and rhythmic stabilization technique. Rocabado's 6x6 exercises will be shown to both groups and 6 sets and 6 repetitions will be performed per day for 8 weeks

Treatment:

Other: Rocabado's 6x6 Exercises

Group 2

Experimental group

Description:

Addition to Rocabado's, Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises will be applied to the neck and jaw with rhythmic stabilization (RS) and combined isotonic contraction (CIC) techniques. The patient will be placed supine on the treatment bed and asked to relax. The therapist's hands were placed according to PNF principles, depending on the applied technique and diagonality. Maximum resistance was provided to suit the needs of each individual First, the RS protocol will be applied and after a 2-minute rest interval, the exercise will continue with the KIK protocol applications. The expected duration of exercise exercises is 30 minutes. Maximum performance will be requested from the individual in all repetitions and the necessary verbal commands will be given for appropriate movement.

Treatment:

Other: PNF Exercises

Other: Rocabado's 6x6 Exercises