This research is planned as a randomized controlled study. The study will be conducted at Izmir Kâtip Çelebi University within two years after ethics committee permission is obtained. The population of the study consists of patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The sample of our study will consist of patients aged 18-65 years with muscle and joint involvement according to the Temporomandibular Disorders Research Diagnostic Criteria, who volunteered to participate in the study. No suitable article using similar methods for calculating the sample size of the study was found. According to the power analysis for two-way analysis of variance in repeated measures using G\*Power Version 3.1.9.2 (Franz Faul, Universitat Kiel, Germany) program, the effect size was calculated as f=0.5, number of repetitions=2, number of groups=3, correlation between repeated measures =0.5, Type I error=0.05 and statistical power=0.95, with at least 17 in each group and a total of 51 patients as the number of units in the sample. Considering possible data losses, the number of participants was added by 20% and it was planned to include at least 21 patients in a group and 63 patients in total.
Participants will be divided into three groups as myofunctional rehabilitation group, respiratory exercise group, and thoracic exercise group by block randomization method. Block randomization will be done via https://www.sealedenvelope.com/simple-randomiser/v1/lists.
1st group; deep friction massage to trigger points in masseter and temporalis muscles, mobilization to TMJ and surrounding soft tissues, Rocabodo exercises (6x6), suboccipital relaxation, stretching exercises to upper trapezius, pectoralis minor, levator scapula muscles will be applied.
Group 2 will be given progressive diaphragmatic breathing exercises in addition to group 1. Progression in diaphragmatic breathing exercises will be achieved by adapting the phases of sensorimotor training (static, dynamic, functional) adapted to exercise programs in order to prevent injuries and to ensure strength and stability (15,16).
Diaphragmatic exercises
1. Static Phase (weeks 1-2): It is aimed to provide short-speed motor control and to create kinesthetic awareness. It will include exercises to provide diaphragmatic breathing at each stage of neurodevelopmental steps (supine, side lying, quadripedal, bipedal).
2. Dynamic Phase (weeks 3-5): Following the teaching of diaphragmatic breathing at each stage of neurodevelopmental steps, limb movements will be included in the program with elastic resistance training. In order to teach conscious motor control of movement, they will be asked to maintain diaphragmatic breathing while performing coordinated limb movements at high speeds in a multi-planar field.
3rd Functional Phase (weeks 6-8): After the combination of diaphragmatic breathing with limb movements, exercises including functional complex training on unstable floors will take place in this phase in order to teach the subconscious control of the movement with the progressive resistances of elastic resistance training. For this purpose, elastic resistance bands and exercise balls will be used.
Diaphragmatic breathing exercises will consist of 3 sets of 10 repetitions in each session.
The 3rd group will be given progressive thoracic exercises in addition to the 1st group. Thoracic exercises will consist of 6 exercises including thoracic stretching and mobility exercises lasting 15-20 minutes. Progression in the program will be achieved by changing the color of the elastic resistance band used during the exercises and gradually increasing the number of repetitions of the exercises. To determine the resistance of the elastic resistance band, the participant will be asked to perform the determined movement for 15 repetitions. If the participant's fatigue is at the level of 12-14 (moderate difficulty) according to the Borg scale, which is a subjective questioning tool, it will indicate the appropriate color. Elastic resistance bands are ordered from easy level to more difficult level with skin, yellow, red, green, blue, black, gray, and golden yellow colors.
Exercises for the thoracic region;
1. Thoracic spine extension exercise with a foam roller (2x10),
2. Thoracic extension flexibility exercise (2x10),
3. Thoracic spine rotation exercise (2x8),
4. Thoracic rotation exercise in quadripedal position (2x8),
5. Thoracic rotation exercise in side lying (Open book 2x8),
6. Bird-dog exercise (2x8). One session will last approximately 45-50 minutes, 2 sessions per week, for a total of 16 sessions in 8 weeks. Measurements will be taken twice, at the beginning and the end of the 8th week.
