A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Manipulative Technique and Conservative Physiotherapy Modalities in Correction of Temporo-mandibular Joint Disorder

Manipulative treatment in a physical therapy intervention, are characterized by fine manipulative techniques, less invasive than other interventions, individually adapted to tissue quality, in order to maintain or restore the circulation of body fluids. Only a few studies evaluated the effect of manipulative treatment in temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the outcome of a series of consecutive patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) who were treated with Manual therapy and other conservative physical therapy modalities and comparing, it's immediate effect and effect after four months.

It is an experimental study design with clinical set-up.30 samples were taken for the study and divided evenly into 15 each for Experimental group and Control Group. Outcome measures are pain, range of motion, Temporo-mandibular Disability Index & Fonseca's Questionnaire. Experimental group is treated with physiotherapy modalities like Ultrasound, Electrical stimulation, hotwater pack, and exercises like Temporomandibular Joint Stabilisation Exercises, Postural correction exercises, Mobilisation exercises and stretching exercises, along with this these subjects were treated with Temporomandibular joint, cervical joint, thorasic joint Manipulation. Control Group is treated only with physiotherapy modalities like Ultrasound, Electrical stimulation, hotwater pack, and exercises like Temporomandibular Joint Stabilisation Exercises, Postural correction exercises, Mobilisation exercises and stretching exercises.

The analytical report indicated that the Experimental group which received the treatment of physiotherapy modalities and exercises along with the Manipulative therapy shows the significant improvement in Pain, Range of Motion, and reduction in severity and disability, when compared to the Control Group which received the physiotherapy modalities and exercises alone.