Effect of dextrose phonophoresis versus pulsed electromagnetic field on temporomandibular dysfunction: A randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated and compared the efficacy of dextrose phonophoresis and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) on pain, range of motion (ROM) and function in patients with Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD).

METHODS

45 patients with TMD aging from 25 to 45 years, with mean age 29 ± 2.5 years were included in this study, they were assigned randomly into 3 equal groups each contain fifteen TMJ dysfunction patients. Group (A) in which each patient received 50% dextrose phonophoresis for 5 min and therapeutic ultrasound for 5 min, Group (B) in which each patient received Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) with frequency of 50 HZ for 50 min, and traditional physiotherapy ultrasound for 5 min, while in the control group (C) the patients received traditional physiotherapy ultrasound for 5 min only, the frequency of treatment session in the three groups was 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The assessment tools were visual analog scale (VAS) for pain evaluation, plastic ruler for TMJ ROM measurements while Fonseca's questionnaire was used for evaluation of TM function at baseline and 4 weeks later.

RESULTS

Paired t-test for comparison between pre and post treatment measurements in each group showed significant decrease pain as well as improvement of ROM and Fonseca's questionnaire in group A and B than placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results found that both dextrose phonophoresis and PEMF have beneficial effects considering pain, ROM and function in patients with (TMD).