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Effects of Sternocleidomastoid Stretching Exercises on Temporomandibular Joint Range of Motion: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Author(s):

Samrood Akram, Muhammad Yawar Azeem Khan, Farhia Shah, Lubna Zafar and Naveed Anwar

Objective: To compare the effect of SCM stretching exercise on TMJ and neck range of motion, and TMJ pain between experimental and control group.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental study conducted in academic year 2018 to 2019 included 96 participants, selected using nonprobability convenience sampling with diagnosed Temporo Mandibular Disorder (TMD) and shortened SCM between the age group of 20 to 40 years and divided into two groups; 48 participants in each control and experimental group which were given the standard treatment for TMD, and SCM stretching intervention along with the standard physical therapy treatment respectively. Post treatment outcomes were measured as Maximal Mouth Opening (MMO) by plastic ruler and pain improvement by numeric pain rating scale. Neck range of motion measured by goniometer. The analysis was done by using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann Whitney U test on SPSS version 22.

Results: The intra group analysis of pre-treatment and post treatment variables showed signi icant improvement in neck ROM, MMO and decreasing the pain values with p-value <0.05. Between group’s comparisons showed that there was a signi icant difference in all neck range of motions. While there was no statistical significance in MMO with p value 0.609(>0.05) and in pain values as p value is 0.662 (>0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that SCM stretching technique is found to be effective for increasing neck range of motion but its effect on reducing TMJ pain and TMJ range of motion was non-signi icant.


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Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research The Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research is a bi-monthly multidisciplinary medical journal.
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