Comparison of Balance, Kinesiophobia and Spinal Status Between Individuals with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Healthy Controls

Abstract

Objective: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can affect jaw joint function as well as impair neuromuscular control and postural stability. This study aims to compare balance, kinesiophobia, and spinal function parameters in individuals with TMD with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 71 participants were included in the study, comprising 35 individuals with TMD and 36 healthy controls. Participants’ static and dynamic balance was assessed using the Biodex Balance System, kinesiophobia was evaluated using the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and spinal function was measured with the Spinal Mouse device. Results: When individuals with TMD were compared to the healthy control group, significant differences were found between the groups in favour of the healthy control group in static and dynamic balance (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and overall) and spinal assessment parameters (spine check score, posture and mobility) (p<0.05). Furthermore, it was found that individuals with TMD had significantly higher levels of kinesiophobia (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that parameters relating to static and dynamic balance, kinesiophobia, spinal condition, mobility and posture are adversely affected in individuals with TMD compared to healthy individuals. The findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting these parameters in TMD management and suggest that they may contribute to the personalisation of treatment strategies.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• balance
• kinesiophobia
• spine

Temporomandibular Eklem Bozukluğu olan Bireyler ve Sağlıklı Kontroller Arasında Denge, Kinezyofobi ve Spinal Durumun Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Amaç: Temporomandibular eklem bozukluğu (TMB), çene eklemi fonksiyonunu etkileyebileceği gibi nöromüsküler kontrolü ve postüral stabiliteyi de bozabilir. Bu çalışma, TMB’li bireylerde denge, kinezyofobi ve spinal fonksiyon parametrelerini sağlıklı bireylerle karşılaştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 35 TMB’li birey ve 36 sağlıklı kontrol olmak üzere toplam 71 katılımcı dahil edildi. Katılımcıların statik ve dinamik dengeleri Biodex Denge Sistemi ile, kinezyofobi düzeyleri Tampa Kinezyofobi Ölçeği ile ve spinal fonksiyonları Spinal Mouse cihazı ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: TMB’li bireyler sağlıklı kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında, statik ve dinamik denge parametrelerinde (antero-posterior, medio-lateral ve genel skorlar) ve spinal değerlendirme parametrelerinde (spinal kontrol skoru, postür ve mobilite) sağlıklı grup lehine anlamlı fark bulundu (p<0.05). Ayrıca TMB’li bireylerin kinezyofobi düzeylerinin anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu saptandı (p<0.05). Sonuç: Bu çalışma, statik ve dinamik denge, kinezyofobi, omurga durumu, mobilite ve postürle ilgili parametrelerin, TMB'li bireylerde sağlıklı bireylere kıyasla olumsuz etkilendiğini göstermektedir. Bulgular, TMB yönetiminde bu parametreleri hedefleyen müdahalelerin önemini vurgulamakta ve tedavi stratejilerinin kişiselleştirilmesine katkı sağlayabileceğini düşündürmektedir.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular eklem bozukluğu
• denge
• kinezyofobi
• omurga.

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