Short-Term Effects of Counselling Versus Occlusal Splint Therapy in TMD Pain Patients on Neck Pain and Dysfunction: A Randomised Trial.

Background and objective: Cervical spine impairments are frequent findings among patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Previous studies have demonstrated that treatments targeting the upper cervical region can improve pain symptoms in patients with TMD. The aim of the current study was to assess whether counselling alone and counselling plus occlusal splint therapy can also provide relief for coexisting neck pain.

Subjects and methods: Consecutive adult patients with TMD pain and neck dysfunction were randomised into one treatment group (counselling only-C, or counselling plus occlusal splint-OS). Neck pain was measured using a VAS scale, while neck disability was computed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Treatment outcomes were measured after 3-month follow-up.

Results: Twenty-seven patients were recruited for the C group (5 males, 22 females, mean age ± SD: 36.5 ± 11.8 years), while 24 belonged to the OS group (3 males, 21 females, mean age ± SD: 35.5 ± 12.5 years). After the interventions, neck pain score and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups, and no between-groups difference was observed.

Conclusion: Both counselling alone and along with occlusal splint therapy effectively reduce neck pain and improve neck function in TMD patients. The findings suggest that occlusal splint does not provide any additional value, as compared to counselling alone, in the achievement of the treatment outcomes.