Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can cause a range of issues, including muscle tension, pain in the jaw or temporomandibular joints, limited jaw movement, and audible joint symptoms. To find effective treatments for TMD in adolescents, a study conducted by Pihut et al. in 2022 compared two physiotherapeutic rehabilitation methods.

The study involved 68 generally healthy patients, aged 14 to 17, who sought treatment for masticatory muscle pain. All participants were diagnosed with Ia TMD, a specific type of TMD, based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) protocol. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I received manual therapy, and Group II underwent kinesiotherapy with massage. Contraindications were taken into account for both treatment methods.

Initially, there was no statistically significant difference in mean pain intensity scores between Group I and Group II. However, after completing the treatment, both groups experienced a significant reduction in pain levels based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Group I had a mean VAS score of 0.92, and Group II had a mean VAS score of 0.74, indicating substantial pain reduction in both groups. Moreover, there was a significant difference in pain reduction between the first and second studies for both treatment groups, indicating the effectiveness of manual therapy and kinesiotherapy with massage in reducing TMD-related pain.

Additionally, both manual therapy and kinesiotherapy with massage showed positive effects on increasing the range of motion of the jaw joint. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in mandibular mobility after undergoing their respective physiotherapeutic interventions.

In conclusion, the study’s findings confirm the effectiveness of manual therapy and kinesiotherapy with massage in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in adolescent patients with TMD. Both treatment methods showed significant pain reduction and increased mandibular mobility. These results support the use of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation as a valuable approach to treating TMD in adolescents.

The study’s results provide valuable insights into the management of TMD in young patients. By employing physiotherapeutic techniques, healthcare professionals can help alleviate pain and improve jaw function in adolescents suffering from TMD. Further research can explore the long-term effects of these interventions and compare them with other treatment options to enhance our understanding of the most effective approaches for managing TMD.

Reference: Pihut, M., Zarzecka-Francica, E., & Gala, A. (2022). Physiotherapeutic rehabilitation of adolescent patients with temporomandibular disorders. Folia Medica Cracoviensia, 79-90.