The clinical effects of individualized comprehensive physiotherapy interventions for patients with temporomandibular disorders / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the clinical effects of individualized comprehensive physiotherapy interventions for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Methods Data of 307 patients with TMD treated between April 2011 and March 2012 in the authors' department were collected and reviewed.All the patients were treated with individualized comprehensive physiotherapy approach based on the patient's category in research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD),such as patient education,ultrashort-wave diathermy,ultrasound therapy,soft tissue massage,joint mobilization and stabilization exercise.The treatment was administered for 3 weeks.The baseline and endpoint outcome assessment measures were maximum active mouth opening (mm),visual analogue scale (VAS) score and joint clicking (100％ before treatment).Results At the end of treatment,the patient's maximum active mouth opening [(36.95 ± 6.59) mm],VAS score (1.21 ± 0.62) and joint clicking [(29 ± 17) ％] improved significantly (P ＜ 0.05) compared to baseline.Conclusions Individualized comprehensive physiotherapy interventions can improve symptoms of TMD,such as joint clicking,pain,limited mouth opening.