Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in addition to routine physical therapy on pain range of motion and postural alignment in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on pain, range of motion (ROM), and postural alignment in temporomandibulder joint disorders (TMD) patients with forward head posture (FHP). METHODS: This single blinded, randomized control trial will be conducted at Physiotherapy Department, Punjab Social Security Health Management Company Hospital, Raiwind, Lahore, Pakistan. Study design will be parallel having 58 Sample size, allocation ratio 1:1. Group A (control) will follow routine physiotherapy (ultrasound/TENS and stretching/strengthening and ROM exercises for jaw and group B (intervention) will follow proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) program with routine physiotherapy. Both groups will follow 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks and home exercises for 2 weeks. Pain, ROM and Postural assessment will be conducted on baseline, 6th and 12th week. The PNF program will compose of a total of 8 therapeutic exercises.This exercise program will help clinician in future to treat TMD patient more effectively. Main outcome variables will be Pain , ROM and Postural assessment. Pain and ROM are primary outcome and postural assessment is secoundary outcome.pain intensity will be measured by visual analogue scale, ROM by vernier caliper and photogrammatory method will be used for postural assessment. DISCUSSION: This randomized controlled trial will be the first of its kind for TMD due to forward head posture. this trial will provide a well structured and well planned exercise plan.

Keywords

• pain
• range of motion
• articular range of motion
• postural assessment
• pain measurement
• visual analog pain scale
• muscle stretching exercises
• forward head posture
• temporomandibular joint disorders