Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) is a group of musculoskeletal disorders involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), mastication muscles and all associated tissues. Treatments used for TMD symptoms include surgery, drug therapy, occlusion splints, self-management strategies, interventions based on cognitive behavioral approaches and physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices. Low-intensity laser therapy, mobilizations, exercise and trigger point treatment are proven physiotherapy and rehabilitation applications in the treatment of TMD. The aim of our study; was to determine the effect of ischemic compression technique on pain, pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), and functionality in TMD. 31 cases were divided into two groups as experimental group (n:16) and control group (n:15) by randomization method. Patients in the experimental group received exercise and ischemic compression treatment for 4 weeks, while the control group received only exercise treatment. Measurements used were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Graded Chronic Pain Scale for pain, algometry for PPT, ruler for range of mouth opening, Jaw Function Restriction Scale for functionality. Two-by-two repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections revealed significant decreases in VAS (p=0.03) and PPT measures of right massater (p=0.01) at the after 4 weeks in the experimental groups. On the other hand, PPT measures of right temporalis were close to significant different between groups (p=0.06). In the treatment of patients with TMD, ischemic compression combined with exercises is better than exercise alone in terms of pain and PPT.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Temporomandibular Joint, Trigger Points, Myofascial Pain Syndrome
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