The effect of Grade IV distraction mobilisation on patients with temporomandibular pain-dysfunction disorder

Abstract

AbstractTemporomandibular pain and dysfunction (TMPD) is estimated to affect as many as 28–85% of Western populations. Two of the salient features of this condition are a reduced range of mandibular movement and increased activity of the masseter muscles. Passive mobilisations have been shown to be clinically effective in increasing the pain-free movement of the temporomandibular joints (Weisberg and Friedman, 1981; Trott, 1986), and in other joints mobilisation/manipulation has resulted in changes in the muscle tone (Thabe, 1986). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a distraction mobilisation technique on the range of mandibular movement and on masseter muscle tone as measured by electromyographic (EMG) activity in patients suffering from TMPD. Changes in mandibular movement capacity and the masseter muscle EMG activity were measured before and after both mobilisation and sham treatment using a repeated measures design. The results showed a significant decrease in masseter EMG activity and a significant increase in mandibular movement following mobilisation compared with the sham treatment. Furthermore, the EMG activity remained significantly decreased for 15 min. These findings suggest that temporomandibular joint mobilisation can be an effective means of reducing muscle tension and, at least in the short term, of increasing the range of mandibular movement.