Effect of a 6-week multimodal physiotherapy programme versus occlusal splint therapy on pain, mouth opening and quality of life in adults with muscular Temporomandibular disorders: A non-randomised controlled clinical trial.

Background

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial conditions that impair quality of life.

Objective

To evaluate and compare the effects of a multimodal programme versus an occlusal splint therapy on pain modulation, mouth opening, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adults with muscular TMD and restricted unassisted mouth opening over a six-week period.

Methods

In this non-randomised controlled clinical trial, 24 adults were allocated to multimodal physiotherapy group (G1) or occlusal splint therapy group (G2). Outcomes were pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), mouth opening and OHRQoL.

Results

Both interventions significantly improved pain intensity, mouth opening and OHRQoL. G1 improved PPT across all assessed muscles, whereas G2 improved only the left temporalis. The only significant between-group difference was right masseter PPT, favouring G1 (p = .022).

Conclusion

Both interventions produced clinically meaningful short-term improvements. Findings are preliminary due to the non-randomised design, small sample and lack of long-term follow-up. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV NCT07410091 (retrospectively registered).