Comparison of Kinesio Taping and manual therapy in the treatment of patients with bruxism using shear-wave elastography-A randomised clinical trial.

Background: Bruxism is significantly associated with craniofacial pain, feeling of stiffness or fatigue of the jaw and neck pain. Various physiotherapeutic strategies are used in the treatment of bruxism; however, it is not clear which method leads to greater decrease in pain.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of two physiotherapy methods (manual therapy [MT] and Kinesio taping with manual therapy [KTMT]) in patients with bruxism.

Methods: Patients were randomised into MT or KTMT groups. Evaluations were performed at baseline and following 4 weeks of physiotherapy. Muscle thickness and stiffness were assessed via shear wave elastography; pain thresholds were evaluated using algometer. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and quality of life was assessed with Likert scales regarding the associated symptoms.

Results: Significant decreases were found in muscle stiffness, pain threshold, sleep quality and quality of life (P < .05) in both MT and KTMT groups. Pain in bilateral temporalis and right occipital region of the trapezius muscle decreased more in the KTMT group compared with the MT group (P < .05). No significant differences in muscle thickness (P > .05) were found in either of the groups.

Conclusion: Both MT and KTMT methods were effective in the treatment of bruxism. Kinesio Tape used in conjunction with MT has additionally decreased jaw pain and temporal region pain compared with MT intervention only. Therefore, if jaw pain is the primary complaint of a patient, our results recommend including Kinesio Tape application in the physiotherapeutic treatment program.