Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the immediate effect of
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)
exercises on pain and maximal mouth opening in
individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Methodology: This prospective, quasi experimental
pilot study includednine female individuals between
the age of 18 to 25 who were diagnosed with TMD by
Research Diagnostic criteria for Temporomandibular
Disorder (TMD/RDC). PNF exercises were performed
for a session with 30 minutes using neck, jaw and
tongue patterns with rhythmic stabilization (RS) and
combination of isotonics (CI) techniques. Maximal
mouth openings were measured with caliper, pain
intensities were measured with visual analogue scale
and pressure pain thresholds by hand algometer.
Results: After PNF application, maximally assisted
opening and pain threshold increased, and pain
intensity decreased significantly (p < 0.05). PNF had a
positive effect on all measurements.
Conclusion: PNF exercises increased mouth opening,
increased the pressure pain threshold, and decreased
pain intensity immediately in individuals with TMD.
In TMD, PNF exercises are seen as one of the options
that can be used to increase mouth opening and reduce
pain.
Keywords: Orofacial pain, temporomandibular joint
disorders, therapeutic, pain threshold.
