Non-Cochrane · intervention · PM41858088
Patient Education and Self-Management in Adults With Temporomandibular Disorders: Results From a Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.
Ferland Geneviève, Vincent Raphaël, Desmeules François, et al. · Journal of oral rehabilitation · 2026 · PubMed · doi:10.1111/joor.70187
Findings
Population Adults with temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD or DC/TMD)
17 findings
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | Pain, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) · Sensitivity analysis (File S7) | SMD 1.06 [0.73, 1.39] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 189 participants |
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | HRQoL, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) | SMD 0.61 [0.20, 1.01] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision 2 studies · 124 participants |
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | Pain, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) · Estimate as stated in Results text | SMD 0.79 [0.27, 1.32] GRADE not reported 7 studies · 359 participants |
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | Pain, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) | SMD 0.67 [0.13, 1.20] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 6 studies · 323 participants |
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | Function, medium-term Medium-term (7-26 weeks) | SMD 0.36 [-0.46, 1.18] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 2 studies · 132 participants |
| Education and self-management (ED and SM) | Any other non-surgical intervention (splints, manual therapy, electrotherapy, multimodal) | Pain, medium-term Medium-term (7-26 weeks) | SMD 0.43 [-0.25, 1.10] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 4 studies · 244 participants |
| ED and SM added to another intervention (manual therapy or multimodal treatment) | The other intervention alone | Pain, short-term Short-term (4-6 weeks per Figure 3; 1-6 weeks per Table 2) | SMD -0.44 [-2.11, 1.23] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 2 studies · 61 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Pain, medium-term Medium-term (7-26 weeks) · Sensitivity analysis (File S7) | SMD 0.13 [-0.59, 0.85] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 168 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Pain, medium-term Medium-term (7-26 weeks) | SMD 0.48 [-0.29, 1.26] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 5 studies · 364 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | HRQoL, short-term Short-term (4-6 weeks per Figure 4; 1-6 weeks per Methods) | SMD 0.50 [0.18, 0.82] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision 3 studies · 154 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Function, medium-term Medium-term (7-26 weeks; 6 months) | SMD -0.10 [-0.91, 0.71] Very low Downgraded: imprecision, inconsistency 2 studies · 88 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Function, long-term Long-term (27-52 weeks; 1 year) | SMD 0.15 [-0.27, 0.57] Low Downgraded: imprecision 2 studies · 87 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Pain, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) · Sensitivity analysis (File S7) | SMD 0.23 [-0.12, 0.58] GRADE not reported 10 studies · 458 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Function, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) | SMD 0.41 [-0.03, 0.85] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 6 studies · 247 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Function, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) · Sensitivity analysis (File S7) | SMD 0.50 [-0.02, 1.02] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 199 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Pain, long-term Long-term (27-52 weeks) | SMD -0.10 [-0.44, 0.25] Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision 3 studies · 133 participants |
| Another intervention combined with ED and SM | ED and SM alone | Pain, short-term Short-term (1-6 weeks) | SMD 0.25 [-0.06, 0.56] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 15 studies · 816 participants |
Included primary studies 50
Open in Studies| Study | Year | Also included by | Outcomes it informs here | Trial data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson 2001 Physical self-regulation training for the management of temporomandibular disorders. PMID:11889647 | 2001 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Kalamir 2013 Intra-oral myofascial therapy versus education and self-care in the treatment of chronic, myogenous temporomandibular disorder: a… PMID:23738586 | 2013 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Patil 2017 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Seyhan 2023 Is core stability training effective in temporomandibular disorder? A randomized controlled trial. PMID:37924356 | 2023 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tanhan 2023 Efficacy of different combinations of physiotherapy techniques compared to exercise and patient education in temporomandibular disorders:… PMID:33818314 | 2023 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Wright 2000 Usefulness of posture training for patients with temporomandibular disorders. PMID:10680388 | 2000 | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Aksu 2019 Comparison of the efficacy of dry needling and trigger point injections with exercise in temporomandibular myofascial pain treatment. PMID:31663071 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Arikan 2025 Effect of high voltage electrical stimulation in temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:38407175 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Benli 2024 Evaluation of the single and combined therapeutic effects of individually manufactured earplug therapy in patients with myogenous… PMID:39349842 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Benlidayi 2016 Kinesio Taping for temporomandibular disorders: Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of effectiveness. PMID:26966829 | 2016 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Brandao 2022 Isotonic exercises and relaxing techniques in individuals with temporomandibular dysfunction. PMID:31900091 | 2022 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Conti 2012 [Clinical and morphological findings in Tangier disease (hypo-alpha-lipoporteinaemia) and its ENT-significance (author's transl)]. PMID:201234 | 1977 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Conti 2012 Orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders: the impact on oral health and quality of life. PMID:23318754 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Conti 2015 Management of painful temporomandibular joint clicking with different intraoral devices and counseling: a controlled study. PMID:26200526 | 2015 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Craane 2011 One-year evaluation of the effect of physical therapy for masticatory muscle pain: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:22337211 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Craane 2012 Randomized controlled trial on physical therapy for TMJ closed lock. PMID:22318373 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| De Nordenflycht 2024 The additional value of home exercises to self-management for the treatment of masticatory muscle pain. A clinical trial. PMID:39130360 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| de Resende 2021 Short-term effectiveness of conservative therapies in pain, quality of life, and sleep in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A… PMID:31204605 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Dworkin 2002 A randomized clinical trial using research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders-axis II to target clinic cases for a… PMID:11889659 | 2002 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Fetai 2021 Self-Massage and Low-Level Laser in Treatment of Masseter Myalgia: Short-Term Effect. PMID:34672274 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gebska 2023 Surface electromyography evaluation of selected manual and physical therapy interventions in women with temporomandibular joint pain and… PMID:37400325 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gebska 2024 Kinesio Taping as an alternative therapy for limited mandibular mobility with pain in female patients with temporomandibular disorders: A… PMID:38832764 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Hasanoglu 2017 Can an NTI-tss device be effective as a first-line therapy in patients with TMD myofascial pain? PMID:28593734 | 2017 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Justribo-Manion 2025 Additional effects of therapeutic exercise and education on manual therapy for chronic temporomandibular disorders treatment: a randomized… PMID:38353484 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Katyayan 2014 Efficacy of appliance therapy on temporomandibular disorder related facial pain and mandibular mobility: a randomized controlled study. PMID:25183909 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Kokkola 2018 Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on the oral health-related quality of life-A randomised controlled one-year follow-up trial. PMID:29512838 | 2018 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lam 2020 Internet-Based Multimodal Pain Program With Telephone Support for Adults With Chronic Temporomandibular Disorder Pain: Randomized… PMID:33048053 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lindfors 2019 Jaw Exercises in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders-An International Modified Delphi Study. PMID:31247061 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lindfors 2020 Reduced levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in human brain vessels after subarachnoid haemorrhage. PMID:2020372 | 1991 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Magesty 2021 Oral health-related quality of life in patients with disc displacement with reduction after counselling treatment versus counselling… PMID:33206400 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Melo 2020 Conservative therapies to treat pain and anxiety associated with temporomandibular disorders: a randomized clinical trial. PMID:32153038 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Michelotti 2004 The additional value of a home physical therapy regimen versus patient education only for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw… PMID:15250431 | 2004 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Michelotti 2012 Evaluation of the short-term effectiveness of education versus an occlusal splint for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. PMID:22207667 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mulet 2007 A randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of adding 6 x 6 exercises to self-care for the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain. PMID:18018993 | 2007 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Nagata 2019 Efficacy of mandibular manipulation technique for temporomandibular disorders patients with mouth opening limitation: a randomized… PMID:30563758 | 2019 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Niemela 2012 Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on temporomandibular disorders. PMID:22809314 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Olbort 2023 Training of the lateral pterygoid muscle in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction: A randomised… PMID:37226632 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Patil 2017 Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Home Exercise Programme in Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder DOI:10.7860/jcdr/2017/32761.10967 | 2017 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Pehlivan Tekin 2025 Effectiveness of a home exercise program when added to a conventional physiotherapy program in patients with temporomandibular disorders:… PMID:38852060 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Peixoto 2021 Short-Term Effect of Scalp Acupuncture on Pain, Sleep Disorders, and Quality of Life in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders: A A… PMID:33561277 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Qvintus 2015 Efficacy of stabilisation splint treatment on facial pain - 1-year follow-up. PMID:25644634 | 2015 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ram 2021 Comparative evaluation of occlusal splint therapy and muscle energy technique in the management of temporomandibular disorders: A… PMID:34810363 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Salloum 2024 Effectiveness of Ultrasound Therapy, TheraBite Device, Masticatory Muscle Exercises, and Stabilization Splint for the Treatment of… PMID:38923288 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Shah 2024 EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY IN CONJUNCTION WITH PATIENT EDUCATION FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS: A RANDOMIZED… PMID:39609984 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Simoes 2023 Counselling treatment versus counselling associated with jaw exercises in patients with disc displacement with reduction-a single-blinded,… PMID:37316791 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tavera 2012 Approaching temporomandibular disorders from a new direction: a randomized controlled clinical trial of the TMDes ear system. PMID:22916669 | 2012 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Truelove 2006 The efficacy of traditional, low-cost and nonsplint therapies for temporomandibular disorder: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:16873325 | 2006 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Tuncer 2013 Effectiveness of manual therapy and home physical therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized controlled trial. PMID:23768273 | 2013 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Ucar 2014 Effectiveness of a home exercise program in combination with ultrasound therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders. PMID:25540479 | 2014 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Wanman 2018 Treatment outcome of supervised exercise, home exercise and bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with symptomatic disc… PMID:31520538 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
Overlap with other reviews
Reviews that include the same primary studies are not independent evidence. Shared counts match studies by PMID, DOI or NCT, and otherwise by author and year (a probable match). Only the non-Cochrane dental reviews have study lists, so overlap with Cochrane reviews is not counted yet.
Review question
| Element | Planned (methods) | Found (results) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Adults with temporomandibular disorders diagnosed with RDC/TMD or DC/TMD | Adults with TMD (n=3238; 76.8% female; mean age 34.4 years); mixed diagnoses (22 trials), myofascial pain only (19), disc displacement with reduction (4), disc displacement without reduction (1) |
| Intervention | Education and self-management (ED and SM) as defined by Durham et al. and van der Meer et al., delivered by a physiotherapist, dentist or chiropractor, alone or combined with other treatments; cognitive behavioral treatments delivered by psychologists excluded | ED and SM (n=34 trials combined with other interventions such as splints, unsupervised home exercises or manual therapy; 15 compared with standalone treatments; 2 added to other treatments) |
| Comparison | Any non-surgical treatment: occlusal splint, medication, manual therapy, electrotherapy, supervised exercise, or any multimodal combination | Splints, electrotherapy, manual therapy, multimodal approaches, or ED and SM alone |
| Outcomes | Patient-related outcomes measuring pain, disability (function) or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) | Pain (45 trials), function (JFLS, MFIQ or perceived function), HRQoL (OHIP, WHOQOL-BREF) |
| Study designs | Randomized controlled trials, published in English or French | 47 RCTs (none at low risk of bias: 44 high, 3 unclear) |
| Timing | Short-term (1-6 weeks), medium-term (7-26 weeks), long-term (27-52 weeks) | Short-term 35 trials, medium-term 22, long-term 5 |