Effects of manual therapy versus Pilates-based core stability training in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized controlled multicenter pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preliminary adjunctive effects of the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) and Pilates-based core stability training (CST) as adjuncts to a structured home exercise program (SHEP) for temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: Thirty patients were allocated to the FDM+SHEP, CST+SHEP, or a control group. Outcome measures included head posture, mandibular mobility, pain intensity, severity, dysfunction, and disability. RESULTS: The FDM+SHEP group demonstrated improvements in jaw function versus the control group and in head posture versus the CST+SHEP group. The FDM intervention led to improvements in laterotrusion and feeding. Both interventional groups showed reductions in pain over time, but the FDM+SHEP group exhibited earlier or more pronounced improvements across various pain intensities versus the CST+SHEP group. CONCLUSION: A larger trial comparing the FDM and CST as adjunctive therapies is feasible. Both approaches, particularly the FDM, show promise for providing adjunctive benefits in reducing pain intensity and improving function. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06134310.