Publications
Immediate effects of myofascial release and post-isometric relaxation on muscle properties and pain in symptomatic bruxism: A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial
Authors: Yunus Emre Tutuneken 1, 2, Kubra Kardes 1, 2, Ayse Zengin Alpozgen 3, Ipek Necla Guldiken 4, Nida Sevinc 3, 5, Selin Korkmaz 3, 6, Sude Sevincli 3, 7, Nesrin Ozmaden 3, 8
Affiliations:
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkeye
- Istinye University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkiye
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Dietitian & Physiotherapist Basak Bicer, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Movebility, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Clinic Performance, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Rebalance Therapy, Istanbul, Turkiye
Journal: The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice - December 2025 (DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2025.2601534)
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Treatment evaluation
- Physiotherapy
- Musculoskeletal disorder
- Temporomandibular disorder
- Orofacial muscles
Objective: This double-blinded randomized controlled trial investigated the immediate effects of myofascial release (MFR) and post-isometric relaxation (PIR) on muscle stiffness, tone, pain, and maximum mouth opening (MMO) in individuals with bruxism, compared with a control group.
Methods: Sixty participants were randomized into MFR (n = 20), PIR (n = 20), or control groups (n = 20). Each intervention was a single standardized session. The primary outcomes were muscle stiffness and tone, while secondary outcomes included pain severity (VAS), and MMO.
Results: Both MFR and PIR significantly reduced masseter and sternocleidomastoid stiffness and tone (p < .05), except left sternocleidomastoid stiffness in MFR, with no changes in controls. MFR was superior to control for pain (p = .010) and masseter stiffness (p = .030), while PIR showed superiority only for left tone (p = .034). Both interventions reduced VAS scores (p < .001) and improved MMO (p < .05).
Conclusion: A single MFR or PIR session reduced stiffness, tone, and pain and improved MMO in bruxism. MFR showed stronger effects, whereas PIR yielded limited benefits.
Keywords: temporomandibular disorders, masseter muscle, sternocleidomastoid muscle, manual therapy, oral rehabilitation
In conclusion, this randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a single session of both MFR and PIR produced significant immediate improvements in muscle stiffness, tone, pain, and maximum mouth opening in individuals with bruxism, while no changes were observed in the control group. Notably, MFR showed superiority to control in reducing pain and masseter stiffness, whereas PIR also yielded benefits – particularly in tone modulation – but without demonstrating superiority in between-group comparisons. These findings indicate that although both methods are effective at the end of treatment, MFR may exert a more robust impact on certain outcomes. Clinically, these results suggest that simple, low-cost, and easily applicable techniques such as MFR and PIR can provide immediate relief in muscle tone and pain, supporting their use as part of a broader multimodal physiotherapy and/or dental management approach.