Objective: To compare the immediate effects of a single session of manual therapy (MT) or Kinesio taping following MT (KTMT) in patients with bruxism using shear wave ultrasonography.
Methods: Twenty patients were included in the MT group (mean age 27.3 ± 4.8), and 19 patients were included in the KTMT group (age mean 26.2 ± 5.4), randomly. Muscle thickness and stiffness were assessed via shear wave ultrasonography, and pain pressure threshold was assessed with an algometer before and after one session of MT or KTMT.
Results: Significant decreases were found in muscle thickness and stiffness of the bilateral masseter (p < 0.05). Significant decrease in pain was seen in the masseter and temporalis muscle PPT measurements in the KTMT group (p < 0.05) only.
Conclusion: Kinesio taping in addition to MT is recommended in the immediate physiotherapy treatment of bruxism for acute pain.
Keywords: Bruxism; Kinesio taping; immediate treatment; manual therapy; physiotherapy.