Long-term efficacy of biobehavioral treatment of temporomandibular disorders

This study evaluated the relative long-term efficacy of biojeedback, cognit ive-behavioral skills training (CBST), combined biojeedback and CBST (Combi ned), and no-treatment comparison groups in 108 patients suffering from chr onic temporomandibular disorder (TMD). After an initial evaluation, patient s were assigned to one of the four treatment conditions. The three biobehav ioral treatment interventions consisted of 12 standardized sessions. Patien ts were reevaluated 1 year after completing treatment. Results demonstrated that patients who received the biobehavioral treatments reported significa nt improvement in subjective pain, pain-related disability, and mandibular functioning 1 year after receiving treatment. The no-treatment comparison g roup did not demonstrate such improvements. The combined biofeedback and CB ST treatment produced the most comprehensive improvements across all outcom e measures. These results again demonstrate the heuristic value of adopting a biopsychosocial perspective to the assessment and treatment of chronic m edical/dental disorders such as TMD.