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Stretching Exercises and Temporomandibular Disorders

Global Postural Reeducation and Static Stretching Exercises in the Treatment of Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders. A Randomized Study

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00993577
Acronym
Stretching
Enrollment
24
Registered
2009-10-12
Start date
2004-02-29
Completion date
2007-03-31
Last updated
2009-10-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Disorders

Keywords

Stretching, Pain

Brief summary

To compare the efficacy of global postural reeducation (GPR) with static stretching exercises (SS) in the treatment of women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Physical therapy is of importance in the treatment of myogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Both stretching exercise and global posture reeducation are equally effective in the treatment of TMD.

Detailed description

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of global postural reeducation (GPR) with static stretching exercises (SS) in the treatment of women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods: A total of 24 subjects with TMD were randomized into two treatment groups: GPR, where therapy involved muscle global chain stretching, or SS, with conventional static stretching. Eight treatment sessions lasting 40 minutes each (weekly) were performed. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after treatment end, and again two months later. Measurements included pain intensity at the temporomandibular joint, headache, cervicalgia (visual analogue scale - VAS) and teeth clenching. Additionally, electromyographic activity and pain thresholds were measured at the masseter, anterior temporalis, sternocleidomastoid, and upper trapezius muscles. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey post-hoc test was used for in-between group comparisons. Significance level was 0.05.

Interventions

OTHERStretching exercises

Treatment consisted of eight individual sessions (once a week), over two months. At the first 10 minutes of sessions, patients rested (supine position) with all limbs relaxed. Manual therapy maneuvers were made as described by Bienfait,17 associated to breathing exercises, in order to stretch the fasciae that recover the shoulders, as well as the cervical spine muscles. After that, stretching treatment (global or static) was conducted for another 30 minutes.

DEVICEExercises

Treatment consisted of eight individual sessions (once a week), over two months. At the first 10 minutes of sessions, patients rested (supine position) with all limbs relaxed. Manual therapy maneuvers were made as described by Bienfait,17 associated to breathing exercises, in order to stretch the fasciae that recover the shoulders, as well as the cervical spine muscles. After that, stretching treatment (global or static) was conducted for another 30 minutes.

Sponsors

University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
19 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Helkimo index III, * Myogenic TMD, AND * Presence of para-functional habits, such as: bruxism, teeth clenching, mouth-breathing and lip biting.

Exclusion criteria

* Surgery or trauma in the orofacial region, * Systemic or degenerative diseases, OR * Undergoing odontological, psychological, or physical therapy treatments.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Pain2

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Quality of life2

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026