Evaluating Pain Neuroscience Education Added to Physiotherapy for Adults with Chronic Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of adding Pain Neuroscience Education PNE to a physiotherapy program for adults aged 18 to 65 with chronic temporomandibular joint disorders TMD. The study aims to find out if combining PNE with physiotherapy improves pain levels, psychological health, and daily function more than physiotherapy alone. This research seeks to develop better patient-centered treatment strategies for managing chronic TMD pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups the control group receiving only physiotherapy, and the PNE group receiving physiotherapy plus Pain Neuroscience Education. Physiotherapy includes therapeutic ultrasound, muscle relaxation, range of motion exercises, and joint and soft tissue mobilization. For the PNE group, educational sessions using metaphors, videos, and explanations about pain will be added during the first two weeks, delivered by trained physiotherapists. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed using various questionnaires and scales at baseline, one month after starting treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months later. These include measures of pain intensity, disability, psychological well-being, fear of movement, pain knowledge, and exercise adherence. The main outcome is the Craniofacial Pain and Disability Inventory, which helps evaluate changes in pain and function over time.

Comparison of the Effect of Pain Neuroscience Education Combined With Physiotherapy, and Physiotherapy Alone in Temporomandibular Disorders