A Study on the Effect of Media Education in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Purpose: The first-line treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) should include self-management and education. Self-management techniques include moist heat application, stretching, diet control, and mandibular rest position adjustment. Although the effectiveness of video educational resources has been studied in multiple sectors, their application in TMD management has not yet been explored. This study seeks to assess how effective media education was at motivating TMD patients to self-management and improve symptoms. Methods: Data were obtained from the hospital records of TMD patients who visited the Department of Oral Medicine, Yonsei University Dental Hospital, between May 2020 and December 2021. First, without any differences between groups, a significance analysis was conducted between the degree of self-management and symptom improvement over time. At the second visit, one group received media education (n=31) linked to TMD management, while the other received written-oriented education (n=45). At the third visit, the number of precautions taken by the patients was determined and contrasted to that recorded in the previous visit between the groups. Generalized estimated equation multivariate models were applied for statistical analysis. Results: In the media education group, the frequency of stretching and the number of patients on pain-free diets increased substantially. Taking precautions improved daily pain intensity, maximum mouth opening, and pain intensity during the maximum unassisted opening. Conclusions: Media education could be beneficial for TMD patients because it allows them to take self-management precautions. The symptoms of the media education group improved, with no considerable distinction between both groups.