Investigation of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Manual Therapy in Patients With Bruxism
Condition: Bruxism
MeSH terms: Bruxism
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Bruxism is defined as a repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by tooth grinding or
      clenching accompanied with wearing of the teeth, and jaw muscle discomfort in the absence of
      a medical disorder . Bruxism has two distinct circadian manifestations: it can be nocturnal
      or diurnal. Hypertrophy of the masseter muscle is an objective sign of bruxism. Additionally,
      fatigue or stiffness in the masticatory muscles, pain in the temporomandibular joint or
      headaches are subjective signs of bruxism. According to literature, 85% to 90% of the general
      population experience episodes of bruxism during their lives. Thus, finding an effective
      treatment method for bruxism is crucial.The aim of this study is to investigate the effects
      of two different physiotherapy approaches on the masseter muscle thickness and stiffness in
      patients with Bruxism.
    

Detailed description: 
      There is no certain treatment for Bruxism. However, the most recent recommendation is to
      follow the Multiple-P approach prior to medical drug regimens and invasive procedures.
      Different methods used in the conservative management of Bruxism are known as the
      "multiple-P" approach, which consists of; physiotherapy, plates, pep talk, pills and
      psychology . Physiotherapy generally focuses on two objectives: decreasing the adverse
      effects of bruxism to the masticatory muscles and increasing self-awareness regarding this
      habit. These studies involve different intervention such as massage of the masticatory and
      cervical muscles, electrotherapy, therapeutic exercises, taping interventions or relaxation
      therapies . However, literature regarding which physiotherapy intervention is the most
      effective in bruxism is not clear. Therefore patients in this study were randomly divided
      into one of two groups; manual therapy or kinesio taping. All patients were assessed at
      baseline, received 4 weeks of treatment and were assessed following the 4 weeks.
    

Intervention name(s): Manual Therapy; Kinesio Taping
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): Participants in this group received 4 weeks of manual therapy and massage of the masticatory muscles intra and extra orally together with massage of the cervical muscles. Massage and Manual Therapy brings about benefits by increasing local circulation and decreasing muscle tonus . Additionally, stretching exercises aiming to decrease pain and elongate shortened masticatory muscle fibers by autogenic inhibition of the masseter muscle were performed.; Participants in this group had an application of Kinesio Taping on the masseter muscles. The material used for bruxism Kinesio Taping application was Kinesio Tex Gold Finger Prints (Kinesio Holding Corporation, Albuquerque, USA), a 100% cotton, latex-free, 5-cm wide, elastic tape. Kinesio Taping placement was chosen according to principles described by Kase et al. Tapes were cut 2.5 cm in width (cut in half vertically from 5 cm width). Two strips of Kinesio Tape were crossed over the masseter muscle area with 0-5% tension in maximum stretched epidermis position. Web-cut strips epidermis-dermis-fascia technique were used. Tape was applied bilaterally after every session of manual therapy.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Bruxism; Manual Therapy; Kinesio Taping; Physiotherapy