The effect of speech and language therapy in adults with temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is considered the second most common musculoskeletal pathology. The purpose of this review is to systematically assess the role of speech and language therapy (SLT) in adults with TMD. A search was conducted in the PubMed-Central, ScienceDirect, Scielo, and Academic Search Complete (via EBSCOHost) databases. The research was independently carried out by two researchers, considering primary studies without any time limit. The articles were assessed independently for screening, selection, and duplication of results. Evidence analysis was performed using the “Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies” scale. A total of 99 articles were extracted for full reading, but only 10 were integrated into the final sample. Most of the included articles (n=8) were classified with a “weak” level of evidence. Agreement between observers on which studies to include was very high. The results of the studies associate the primary intervention of SLT with myofunctional therapy. The most widely described intervention strategies are thermotherapy, relaxation, massage therapy, myotherapy, and functional training of oral functions, although their methodology and application details are not fully specified in the literature. The use of laser and electrostimulation in SLT is starting to be explored as a prior approach to intervention, but its effectiveness is not yet firmly established. The team intervention is described as fundamental for a successful TMD intervention. The role of SLT in TMD is beginning to be described and valued, however, the criteria for choosing best practices and their effects are not yet fully described and verified in the literature.