Effects of therapeutic exercise and aerobic exercise programmes on pain, anxiety and oral health‐related quality of life in patients with temporomandibular disorders

Abstract Background Pain and anxiety contribute to decreasing quality of life related to oral health in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Evidence‐based practice has shown that therapeutic and aerobic exercise programmes are adequate strategies for modifying these factors. Objective To assess the effects of aerobic exercise on pain, anxiety and quality of life related to oral health in patients with TMD. Methods Forty‐five patients diagnosed with TMD were divided into three groups of 15 participants: a therapeutic exercise programme (G1, mean 26.9 ± 5.5 years), a therapeutic and aerobic exercise programme (G2, mean 26 ± 4.4 years) and an aerobic exercise programme (G3, mean 24.9 ± 3.4 years). Pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), anxiety level and quality of life related to oral health through GAD‐7 and OHIP‐14, respectively. These parameters were evaluated twice at baseline (T0a/T0b), ending 8‐week intervention period (T1) and 8–12 weeks after ending intervention (T2). Results NRS significantly decreased in G1 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 5.2, p ˂ .001), G2 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 6.0, p ˂ .001) and G3 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 2.2, p = 0.001). OHIP‐14 significantly decreased in G1 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 13.5, p ˂ .001) and G2 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 15.8, p ˂ 0.001) but not in G3 (mean difference T0a/T1 = 1.2, p = 0.55). There were no significant differences between groups regarding GAD‐7. Between T1 and T2, there were no significant differences in variables. Conclusion Therapeutic exercises and therapeutic excercises combined with aerobic exercise groups had a significant decrease in pain and oral health‐related quality of life at 8 and 12 weeks. These decreases were not seen for the aerobic exercise group.