A randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of adding 6 x 6 exercises to self-care for the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain

Mariona Mulet, Karen L. Decker, John O Look, Patricia A. Lenton, Eric L Schiffman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: To determine whether Rocabado's 6 X 6 exercise program has an added benefit to self-care alone in reducing myofascial jaw pain and improving forward head posture (FHP) in subjects with myofascial pain and FHP at the end of 4 weeks. Methods: In this double-blinded trial, 45 subjects (43 female and 2 male, mean age 24 years) were randomly assigned to self-care or self-care + 6 X 6 exercises. The primary outcome measure was intensity of jaw pain on a numerical graphic rating scale (NGRS). Secondary outcome measures were jaw pain on a verbal rating scale (VRS), neck pain (NGRS and VRS), and change in head posture. Twenty-one subjects per group resulted in 80% power to detect a difference of 2 in the NGRS for intensity of jaw pain. Alpha was set at .05 for statistical significance. Results: Both groups showed significant statistical (P = .001) and clinical (> 2 on NGRS) improvement in jaw pain intensity. Jaw pain and neck pain improved significantly (P < .01) in both groups. There were no differences between groups for any of the measures. A significant change in head posture was not detected in either group. Conclusion: The 6 X 6 exercises were not significantly more beneficial in reducing the intensity of jaw and neck pain than self-care alone. Furthermore, they were not beneficial in improving head posture within the 4-week duration of this study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-328
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of orofacial pain
Volume21
Issue number4
StatePublished - Sep 2007

Keywords

  • Exercises
  • Myofascial pain
  • Posture
  • Randomized clinical trial
  • Self-care
  • Temporomandibular disorders

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