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Description:
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A long -term follow -up (LTF ) study was conducted to further evaluate the efficacy of a biopsychosocial intervention for acute high risk (HR ) temporomandibular disorder (TMD ) patients . Subjects from Gatchel and colleagues' one -year outcome study (Gatchel , Stowell , Wildenstein , Riggs , &Ellis , 2006 ) were contacted to assess pain and psychosocial measures at LTF (two to six years post intake ) . An early -intervention (EI ) group had received cognitive behavioral skills training and biofeedback , while a nonintervention group (NI ) had received no intervention . Similar to one -year follow -up findings , EI group subjects had significantly lower levels of self -reported pain and depression at LTF as compared to intake . The EI group was also associated with significantly lower pain and depression scores , relative to the NI group . EI group subjects continued to show a decreasing trend on jaw pain -related health care visits relative to NI group subjects , providing further evidence for reduced costs associated with early interventions . The present study supports and extends the findings of the earlier one -year outcome study , indicating that an early biopsychosocial intervention is beneficial for patients with acute TMD . By receiving treatment during the acute stage of TMD , patients are less likely to develop chronic TMD , and to be impacted long -term by the physical , emotional and financial aspects of TMD . |