Short-term effect of physical training on temporomandibular joint disorder in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

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Abstract
Twenty-eight individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 32 individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with symptoms or signs of temporomandibular joint disorder were studied. For both diseases the individuals were divided into an experimental group (E group) and a comparison group (C group). The study included a questionnaire on dental and medical history, clinical examination of the stomatognathic system, and laboratory tests. A physical training program for the stomatognathic system was administered in the E groups, while the C groups were used as controls. All groups were followed up after 3 weeks. In all four groups the individuals reported less severity of temporomandibular joint disorder at the follow-up study after physical training. The maximum voluntary mouth opening capacity increased, and the clinical dysfunction score of Helkimo decreased in the two E groups but not in the C groups. The short-term results of this study show that physical training of the stomatognathic system improves the mandibular mobility in individuals with RA and AS and reduces the clinical dysfunction extent in individuals with RA.