Group pain education is as effective as individual education in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are recognised as the most common chronic orofacial pain condition, with prevalence figures ranging from 3% to 12%. Patients referred to tertiary orofacial pain clinics for the management of TMD often experience delays in receiving treatment. The objective of the present study was to assess a group treatment programme to deliver effective earlier intervention for patients with chronic TMD. Methods: Forty-two patients with TMD seen at the Oral Medicine Clinic, Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, were administered baseline validated pain questionnaires: the Graded Chronic Pain Scale and Pain Catastrophising Scale. Twenty patients subsequently received education about basic neurophysiology of pain, TMD and relaxation techniques in either a group setting or in a one-on-one session and were followed longitudinally. Administration of pain questionnaires was repeated at 4-6 weeks post-intervention. Results: No evidence of difference in levels of anxiety, somatic symptoms or catastrophising was found between patients who received either group or individual intervention. Both were effective at reducing pain intensity and levels of disability. Individual intervention resulted in a greater reduction in rumination. Conclusion: Patients with TMD can receive effective reduction of TMD-related pain and catastrophising from either group or individual education regarding neurophysiology of pain, TMD and relaxation techniques. Group education should accelerate time to commencement of care in large referral-based settings.