Articles Vol. 67 No. 8 28/08/2026

PRACTICE OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT EXERCISES AMONG OUTPATIENTS WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT ARTHRITIS AT SAINT PAUL GENERAL HOSPITAL IN 2025

Le Thi Thu Huyen1,2, Vu Thi Tho1,2, Nguyen Thi An1,2, Vu Thi En3,4
1 Saint Paul General Hospital
2 Bệnh viện Đa khoa Xanh Pôn
3 Nam Dinh University of Nursing
4 Trường Đại học Điều dưỡng Nam Định
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67i8.6346
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Keywords
temporomandibular joint arthritis; temporomandibular joint; exercise therapy; practice; outpatient care.
Abstract

Objective: To describe the performance of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) exercises among outpatients with TMJ arthritis at the Odonto-Stomatology Department, Saint Paul General Hospital, in 2025. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 122 patients from May to June 2025. Patients performed nine exercises under direct observation, and each step was rated on a three-level checklist. Results: Patients aged 20–29 years accounted for 62.30%, and women for 73.00%. Achievement rates ranged from 85.25% to 90.98%, with the highest rate for resisted mouth opening (90.98%) and the lowest for deep breathing (85.25%). The highest incorrect/not-performed rates involved maintaining moderate mouth closure with hand resistance (26.23%) and maintaining an open-mouth posture while focusing on relaxation (20.49%). Items requiring patients to report post-exercise sensations were incompletely performed by 46.72%–55.74%. Conclusion: Although total-score achievement rates were relatively high, limitations remained in posture maintenance, resistance control, and reporting post-exercise sensations. Standardized instruction and stepwise return demonstration are warranted.

Keywords: temporomandibular joint arthritis; temporomandibular

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