Efficacy of massage versus massage with post isometric relaxation in temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial

Mahnoor Tariq; Kainaat Fatima; Shahzada Faiz Ahmad Khan; Wajeeha Mahmood; Tahir Mahmood; Sarma Khurshaid; Masooma Khalid; Mehrunisa Khoosa; Muhammad Naveed Babur

doi:10.1186/s13102-024-00865-x

Efficacy of massage versus massage with post isometric relaxation in temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024 May 16;16(1):110. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00865-x.

Authors

Mahnoor Tariq¹, Kainaat Fatima², Shahzada Faiz Ahmad Khan³, Wajeeha Mahmood⁴, Tahir Mahmood⁵, Sarma Khurshaid⁶, Masooma Khalid⁷, Mehrunisa Khoosa⁸, Muhammad Naveed Babur⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Allied health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.
² Department of Physical therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Allied health Sciences, Kainaat Fatima Demonstrator, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.
³ Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Azra Naheed Dental College, The Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.
⁴ Department of Physical therapy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. higheraimz@hotmail.com.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy, Rashid Latif Khan University [RLKU] Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
⁶ Physical Therapy Department Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.
⁷ Physiotherapist Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.
⁸ Physical Therapy Department, Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan, DGK, Pakistan.
⁹ Faculty of allied health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a common condition affecting the masticatory muscles and joint mobility.

Objectives: The primary objective was to compare the effects of massage therapy alone and massage therapy combined with post-isometric relaxation exercises in patients with TMD for pain and maximal mouth opening.

Design: Assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Dental Hospital, Lahore Medical and Dental Hospital.

Subjects: Temporomandibular joint disorder patients.

Intervention: Group A (n = 23) received conventional treatment including massage and therapeutic exercises consecutively for 2 weeks. Group B (n = 23) received post-isometric relaxation technique along with conventional treatment for consecutive 2 weeks.

Main measures: The main outcome measures were pain and maximal mouth opening. Pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and maximal mouth opening (MMO) was measured using the TheraBite Scale.

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and MMO scores post-treatment. However, Group B (massage with post-isometric relaxation exercises) showed significantly better outcomes compared to Group A (massage alone). There was a statistically significant difference in post-treatment pain scores (P = 0.000) and MMO scores (P = 0.000) between the two groups.

Conclusion: The results suggest that massage therapy combined with post-isometric relaxation is more effective than massage therapy alone in managing pain and improving mouth opening in TMD patients. The study provides evidence supporting the use of these therapies in TMD management.

Trial registry number: NCT05810831. Date of registration/First submission: 15 March 2023.

Keywords: Massage therapy; Masticatory Muscles; Maximal mouth opening; Pain; Physiotherapy; Post-isometric relaxation exercises; Randomized Controlled Trial; Temporomandibular Joint Disorder; Therabite Scale; Visual Analogue Scale.