2025/05/25 by İkra Cakıcı, Gizem Ergezen Sahin
Health Professions · Medicine · #Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation #Occupational health in dentistry #Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
paper · doi:10.1080/09593985.2025.2507848
openalex publication_date 2025/05/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) frequently coexist, with CLBP reported in 29% of TMDs cases. This co-occurrence emphasizes the importance of multisite pain management approaches. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Rocabado's exercises alone or combined with structured back exercises on TMD-related pain, mandibular range of motion (ROM), and CLBP severity. METHODS: Forty participants with myogenic TMD and nonspecific CLBP were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, Rocabado only) or complex exercise group (CEG, Rocabado + back exercises). Both underwent 24 supervised sessions over six weeks. Pain was assessed via the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS-2.0), Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Jaw function and ROM were evaluated using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS-20) and objective mandibular movement measures. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed via the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). RESULTS: < .001, d > 0.8). CONCLUSION: Rocabado's exercises reduced TMDs pain and improved jaw function, while structured back exercises provided additional benefits for the pain severity of CLBP and sensory pain of TMDs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial approval was obtained at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, and the registration status was made publicly available with the number NCT06343155 on April 1, 2024. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06343155).