Effectiveness of neck motor control exercises in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized controlled trial

• Grant number: 17/18661-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Delaine Rodrigues Bigaton
• Grantee: Delaine Rodrigues Bigaton
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fabiana Foltran Mescollotto ; Susan Armijo-Olivo

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is defined as a set of clinics involving masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint, and cervical spine. Current and preliminary research has verified the effects of manual therapy and targeted cervical spine exercise in subjects with TMD. However, within the literature search for the development of this project, we did not find randomized controlled trials with the purpose of verifying the efficacy of exercises directed to the cervical spine, alone, in subjects with TMD. This study aims to determine the effect of a cervical exercise protocol with the use of visual feedback in the variables pain, electrical signal, performance and fatigue of cervical muscles, range of motion of the TMJ, and psychological technicians with TMD diagnosis when compared to a placebo group. The sample will be divided into Exercise Group, which will perform cervical exercises (extension and flexion) and Placebo Group, which will receive TENS placebo. All volunteers will be evaluated for intensity of pain, electrical signal, performance and fatigue of cervical muscles, range of motion of TMJ, and psychological aspects pre, post, and follow-up of 24 weeks apostle of the intervention. (AU)