Knowledge and awareness of physical therapy role in evaluating and treating temporomandibular disorders among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Background Practitioners, including physical therapists, are not proficiently trained to evaluate and treat individuals with temporomandibular disorders. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of examining and treating temporomandibular disorders among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to physical therapists on different social media platforms. The survey covered demographics characteristics and knowledge of examining and treating temporomandibular disorders. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results A total of 143 participants with a mean of age of 30 (± 6.6) years participated in this study. The majority of participants (n = 109; 76.2%) did not take educational courses on temporomandibular disorders; more than half (n = 84; 58.7%) had never evaluated or treated individuals with temporomandibular disorders. Most physical therapists were aware that they could treat individuals with temporomandibular disorders (n = 121, 84.6%). The most common evaluation methods were temporomandibular joint palpation, jaw movement during opening and closing, and palpation of the masticatory muscles (n = 56, 95%); (n = 49, 83%); (n = 48, 81%), respectively. The common methods used for treatment were therapeutic exercise strengthening, manual therapy, and patient education (n = 49; 83%; n = 46; 78%; n = 33; 56%), respectively. Thirty-one participants (53%) referred patients to other practitioners. Conclusion This preliminary study indicates there is a fair level of knowledge, low confidence, low education, and low clinical experience for physical therapists in the evaluation and treatment of temporomandibular disorders in Saudi Arabia. More attention is needed on physical therapy education programs and post-graduate education courses on temporomandibular disorders.