Physical therapy for patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction at different levels of pain: an observational study

Background Patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWOR) frequently experience limited mouth opening and orofacial pain, which has a substantial impact on their quality of life and demands professional assistance. However, the severity of symptoms in patients with ADDWOR varies, especially with different pain levels. Few studies investigate how these variables affect patient efficacy or treatment requirements. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness and characteristics of comprehensive physical therapy in patients with ADDWOR at different levels of pain severity. Methods This observational study recruited 91 patients with ADDWOR, and they were divided into two groups based on pain severity: mild pain (n = 46) and significant pain (n = 45). Comprehensive physical therapy was administered, and the following outcome measures were evaluated before and after treatment: visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pain, maximum mouth opening assessment, jaw functional limitation scale questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire 15, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, and generalised anxiety disorder 7. Treatment frequency and duration were also recorded. Independent sample t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests were used for intergroup differences, and paired sample t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests were used for intragroup differences. Results After treatment, no significant differences were found in any of the evaluation indices (P > 0.05) between the two groups, except for the VAS and treatment frequency (P < 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in all indicators before and after treatment, except for VAS in the mild pain group, which showed no significant change. Comprehensive physical therapy alleviated physical symptoms and positively impacted mental health in patients with ADDWOR and significant pain requiring more frequent treatments. Conclusions Comprehensive physical therapy alleviated physical symptoms, such as active mouth opening and pain, and positively affected the mental health of patients with ADDWOR. However, patients with significant pain levels may require more frequent treatments to achieve optimal results.