PNF Exercises on Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) is an important health problem that occurs approximately in 22 to 35 percent of adults, different physiotherapy methods are reported as treatment options for management of TMJD. Although that, there is no previous studies about the efficacy of PNF exercises in treatment of TMJD in patients with forward head posture. So, the purpose of the present double-blind, randomized, controlled trial is to investigate the efficacy of PNF exercises in treatment of TMJD in patients with forward head posture.

Inclusion criteria:(1) Patient of both genders of age between 20-40 years; (2) having symptoms of TMD for at least six weeks duration established by expert physician or orthopaedician; (3) having forward head posture with CVA < 53; (4) pain over TMJ between 3 to 6 on NPRS; and (5) mouth opening < 25mm.Exclusion criteria:Patients will be excluded if they exhibited any of the following criteria: (1) TMJ fracture undergone any surgical procedure for TMJ; (2) Fracture surrounding TMJ; (3) Dislocation or subluxation of TMJ; (4) systemic generalized joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis, congenital diseases or facial paralysis; (5) recently any dental treatment taken or surgery over TMJ; (6) hematological cervical disorders which may affect the jaw; (7) Neurological deficits e.g. Bells palsy, Trigeminal neuralgia. (8) Recent infections (within the last six months) affecting the head and neck e.g. bone infections, meningitis, encephalitis, malaria, ear infection; (9) Participants who were using any functional appliances e.g. dentures, braces, bite appliances which had been adjusted or fitted in the last 12 weeks prior to the commencement of this study; (10) DDwR, DDwoR and (11) Patients were excluded from the study if they were receiving any other form of treatment for their TMJ dysfunction.