Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog

This study evaluated the effect of a jaw motion device on pain and range of motion in TM joint and muscle disorders. Patients were classified as joint or muscle accordiing to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. 21 patients in each of the two groups were assigned at random to three treatment groups of seven: 1) motion device therapy (MDT), 2) bitestick therapy (BT), and 3)control. Before and after 4 weeks, pain was assessed by response on a 10 point visual analogue and MO by direct measurement in mm. Joint patient using MDT reported significantly greater pain reduction than with BT. However, joint MDT scores were not different from those of joint controls. Joint BT scores were no different from joint controls. MDT on teh muscle patients produced significantly greater pain reduction than BT on muscle patients, as well as controls. Pain scores for the muscle BT were no different from muscle controls. ANOVA was performed on change scores in MO from pre- to post-treatmeant. The MO for joint patients under MDT was significantly greater than joint BT as well as joint controls. Joint BT produced MO no different, from joint controls. The mean MO for muscle MDT, 16.29, was significantly greater than that of muscle BT, 4.86, as well as muscle controls, 1.14. Mean MO of the BT patients was significantly greater than that of muscle controls. The results suggest that the jaw motion device is effective in increasing MO in both joint and muscle TMD patients. It also appears to decrease pain more effectively in muscle TMD patients than in joint TMD patients.