Effects of a program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction: A pilot study

Insha Azam, Aksh Chahal, Gaurav Kapoor, Pooja Chaudhuri, Ahmad H Alghadir, Masood Khan, Faizan Z Kashoo, Vandana Esht, Mohammed M Alshehri, Mohammad Abu Shaphe, Abdur Raheem Khan, Gurjant Singh, Insha Azam, Aksh Chahal, Gaurav Kapoor, Pooja Chaudhuri, Ahmad H Alghadir, Masood Khan, Faizan Z Kashoo, Vandana Esht, Mohammed M Alshehri, Mohammad Abu Shaphe, Abdur Raheem Khan, Gurjant Singh

Abstract

Background: The present study was conceptualized as a pilot study to examine the effects of a 3-week program consisting of strain/counterstrain technique (SCST), phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises on pain and functions in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

Methods: Seven participants (mean age 25.85 years) diagnosed with TMD having pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with decreased jaw opening were recruited for the study. Treatment interventions consisting of SCST, phonophoresis (ultrasound gel mixed with diclofenac gel), heat therapy, and stretching (mouth-opening) exercises were performed 3 days a week for 3 weeks. SCST was performed on the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles. No control group was present in the study.

Results: Paired samples t test revealed a significant difference in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (decreased by 50%, P < .001) and jaw functional limitation scale (JFLS) (reduced by 59.58%, P < .001) scores after 3 weeks of intervention. A large effect size (Cohen d = -3.00 for NPRS and -3.16 for JFLS) was observed for both variables. No correlation (R = 0) was found between the baseline values of NPRS and JFLS.

Conclusion: A 3-week program consisting of SCST, phonophoresis, heat therapy, and stretching exercises was effective in reducing the pain and improving the functions related to TMJ in patients suffering from TMD. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to reach a definite conclusion.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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