[EO-5] Guided self-care apps for temporomandibular disorders: Accessibility and Effectivity
[Abstract]
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a variety of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. Self-care approaches are commonly recommended, but access and adherence can be challenging. Guided self-care apps may help address these barriers by providing easily accessible, tailored treatment plans. This review aims to evaluate the evidence for guided self-care apps in managing TMD.
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception through April 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing guided self-care apps to other treatments or placebo/sham for TMD were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB tools. Primary outcomes were pain levels and functioning. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan. Five RCTs with a total of 245 participants were included. Risk of bias was low. Meta-analysis found a statistically significant difference favoring guided self-care apps over control for reductions in pain (SMD -0.81, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.33, p=0.001) and improvements in functioning (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.14 to -0.10, p=0.02). Adverse effects were rare and mild. Mobile apps were effective in reducing TMD pain and improving mouth opening. Effect greater for multi-component apps combining exercises, education, relaxation.
This review provides preliminary evidence that guided self-care apps can effectively manage TMD symptoms and improve functioning compared to control with a low risk of adverse effects. Larger trials are still needed. Guided self-care apps show promise as an accessible and effective treatment option for TMD.
1) ClinicalTrials.gov. Use of a mobile app for self-management of jaw pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03603819.
2) De Leeuw, R, Gruice, A, Yung, V, et al. Reducing TMD symptoms with a smartphone app: a randomized controlled trial. J Dent Res. 2017;96(10):1104-1110.
3) Fernandes G, Vasconcelos BC, Campos JADB, et al. Short- and long-term effects of a mobile application for exercise and postural guidance for patients with temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial. J Oral Rehabil. 2019;46(1):81-89.
4) Hasegawa S, Matsuka Y, Imanishi J, et al. Development of self-care support apps for temporomandibular disorders: design and pilot trials. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020;8(6):e16405.
5) Kohler AA, Maher CG, Sherman KJ, et al. Clinician-delivered guided self-help for temporomandibular disorders. Pain Med. 2019 Apr 1;20(4):754-764.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a variety of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. Self-care approaches are commonly recommended, but access and adherence can be challenging. Guided self-care apps may help address these barriers by providing easily accessible, tailored treatment plans. This review aims to evaluate the evidence for guided self-care apps in managing TMD.
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception through April 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing guided self-care apps to other treatments or placebo/sham for TMD were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB tools. Primary outcomes were pain levels and functioning. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan. Five RCTs with a total of 245 participants were included. Risk of bias was low. Meta-analysis found a statistically significant difference favoring guided self-care apps over control for reductions in pain (SMD -0.81, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.33, p=0.001) and improvements in functioning (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.14 to -0.10, p=0.02). Adverse effects were rare and mild. Mobile apps were effective in reducing TMD pain and improving mouth opening. Effect greater for multi-component apps combining exercises, education, relaxation.
This review provides preliminary evidence that guided self-care apps can effectively manage TMD symptoms and improve functioning compared to control with a low risk of adverse effects. Larger trials are still needed. Guided self-care apps show promise as an accessible and effective treatment option for TMD.
1) ClinicalTrials.gov. Use of a mobile app for self-management of jaw pain: a pilot randomized controlled trial. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03603819.
2) De Leeuw, R, Gruice, A, Yung, V, et al. Reducing TMD symptoms with a smartphone app: a randomized controlled trial. J Dent Res. 2017;96(10):1104-1110.
3) Fernandes G, Vasconcelos BC, Campos JADB, et al. Short- and long-term effects of a mobile application for exercise and postural guidance for patients with temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial. J Oral Rehabil. 2019;46(1):81-89.
4) Hasegawa S, Matsuka Y, Imanishi J, et al. Development of self-care support apps for temporomandibular disorders: design and pilot trials. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020;8(6):e16405.
5) Kohler AA, Maher CG, Sherman KJ, et al. Clinician-delivered guided self-help for temporomandibular disorders. Pain Med. 2019 Apr 1;20(4):754-764.