Comparative effects of post isometric relaxation technique and Bowen’s therapy on pain, range of motion and function in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder

Abstract

BackgroundThe most common cause of mouth and facial pain is a temporomandibular joint disorder, which affects the patient’s quality of life and interferes with their ability to perform daily tasks.ObjectiveThe purpose was to compare the effects of the Post-Isometric Relaxation Technique and Bowen’s Therapy on pain, range of motion and functional activity in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.MethodsThis study was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 24 participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the lottery method. Baseline treatment was the same (ultrasound and tapping) in both groups. Group 1 (12 participants) was treated with a post-isometric relaxation technique, and Group 2 (12 participants) with Bowen’s therapy for two sessions per week (total duration of 4 weeks). Outcome measures were the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Maximal mouth opening inter-incisal rural and jaw functional limitation scale-20. SPSS version 25 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsA significant improvement in pain, range of motions and functional activities in the post-isometric group showed significant results (p < 0.05) as compared to Bowen’s group (independent t-test). However, within-group comparison (paired t-test), both groups showed significant results (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study concluded that post-isometric relaxation was more effective in terms of pain, range of motions for mouth opening, lateral deviations and functional activity of temporomandibular joint disorder patients. However, both groups showed clinical results according to minimal clinical difference values.Trial registry numberThe trial is registered under ClinicalTrials.govt with reference no. ID: NCT05392049 registered on 26/05/2022.