The impact of various subtypes of temporomandibular disorders on body balance - preliminary study

Background: Balance disorders are considered a serious diagnostic challenge, with many potential causes. The influence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) on postural balance has numerous anatomical, biomechanical, physiological and functional argumentation, however, cohort studies on this subject do not give unambiguous results. It is suggested that only some forms of TMD may affect the body balance.

Research question: Will body balance parameters differ in patients with particular subtypes of temporomandibular disorders and without temporomandibular disorders?

Methods: cohort study. A total of 25 participants with TMD (9 with myofascial subtype; 9 with disc disorders subtype; 7 with mixed diagnosis) and 11 participants without TMD (control group) diagnosed by Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD were assessed for body balance changes using force platform FreeMED MAXI ground reaction force platform (Sensor Medica; Guidonia Montecelio, Roma, Italia) under different mandibular conditions (rest position, clenching, clenching on cotton rolls). For the statistical analysis, the postural sway area of the Center of Pressure (COP) and its velocity were used.

Results: The greatest differences in the sway area of the COP and its velocity were noticed when comparing the control group and the group with myofascial disorders. Statistically significant differences regarding the sways of COP in different mandible conditions were also shown by intragroup analyses in the group with myofascial and mixed forms. Both the results of the intra- and intra-group analyses shows that the involvement of the muscular factor may determine the occurrence of deviations in the body balance.

Significance: The results of the project may extend the diagnosis of patients with balance disorders to the diagnosis of the masticatory system to accurately determine the source of the patient's problem.