Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series

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Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series
Received 10 May 2002; received in revised form 17 June 2002
James W DeVocht, DC, PhDa, Cynthia R Long, PhDb, Deborah L Zeitler, DDSc, Walter Schaeffer, DCd
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 26, Issue 7, Pages 421-425 (September 2003)
Elsevier

Abstract
Objective
To determine if there was a basis for the treatment of temporomandibular disease (TMD) using the chiropractic protocol developed by Activator Methods, International.

Setting
Private, solo practice of an Activator advanced proficiency rated chiropractor with 15 years experience.

Design
Prospective case series.

Participants
Nine adult volunteers with articular TMD recruited from the practice of the treating clinician.

Main outcome measures
Change from baseline to follow-up of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and maximum active mouth opening without pain.

Interventions
Full spine and TMJ adjusting in accordance with the advanced protocol of Activator Methods, International. Participants were typically seen 3 times per week for 2 weeks and according to individual progress thereafter for 6 more weeks.

Results
Eight participants completed outcome assessments. The median VAS decrease was 45 mm (range 21-71); all experienced improvement. The median increase of mouth opening was 9 mm (range 1-15); all showed improvement.

Conclusion
The results of this prospective case series indicated that the TMD symptoms of these participants improved following a course of treatment using the Activator Methods, International protocol. Consequently, further investigation of this type of chiropractic treatment for patients with the articular type of TMD is warranted.

Keywords: Temporomandibular Disorder, Temporomandibular Joint, Chiropractic Manipulation
a Assistant Professor, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Davenport, Iowa, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Iowa Spine Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

b Associate Professor, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Davenport, Iowa, USA

c Professor, Hospital Dentistry Institute, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

d Private practice of chiropractic, Coralville, Iowa, USA

Submit requests for reprints to: James W. DeVocht, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, 741 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52803, USA

☆ This project was internally funded.

PII: S0161-4754(03)00096-4

doi:10.1016/S0161-4754(03)00096-4

© 2003 JMPT. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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