Effects of dry needling and kinesio taping in temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized trial

Duran, Ayse; Ozmen, Elif Esra; Unuvar, Bayram Sonmez

doi:10.1590/1806-9282.20251053

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Original Article • Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras. 71 (11) • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20251053 linkcopy

Effects of dry needling and kinesio taping in temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized trial

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of dry needling and kinesio taping on pain intensity, mandibular range of motion, sleep quality, and depression levels in patients diagnosed with myogenous temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).

METHODS: Ninety patients with TMD were included in this two-center randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A (dry needling), Group B (kinesio taping), and Group C (control—conservative recommendations). Interventions were applied over 6 weeks. Primary outcome measures included the visual analog scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and mandibular mobility assessment.

RESULTS: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain reduction, increased mandibular range of motion, and improved sleep quality (p<0.05). The dry needling group showed superior outcomes compared to the other groups. While both the dry needling and kinesio taping groups showed within-group improvements in depression scores, between-group differences were not statistically significant (p=0.464), and lateral mandibular movements did not differ significantly among groups.

CONCLUSION: Dry needling and kinesio taping are effective, safe, and clinically feasible interventions for the management of TMD. Dry needling, in particular, appears more effective in reducing pain and improving function. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating conservative physical therapy approaches within multidisciplinary TMD treatment protocols.

KEYWORDS:
Temporomandibular joint disorders; Myofascial pain; Dry needling; Athletic Tape; Pain; Sleep quality

Variables		DN	KT	Control	p
Age (years)		37.6±9.93	35.6±8.26	35.6±4.75
Gender	Male	14 (46.7%)	11 (36.7%)	16 (53.3%)	0.427
Gender	Female	16 (53.3%)	19 (63.3%)	14 (46.7%)	0.427
Marital status	Married	17 (56.7%)	12 (40%)	14 (46.7%)	0.429
Marital status	Single	13 (43.3%)	18 (60%)	16 (53.3%)	0.429
Clicking on mouth opening	Yes	22 (73.3%)	18 (60%)	21 (70%)	0.516
Clicking on mouth opening	No	8 (26.7%)	12 (40%)	9 (30%)	0.516
Clicking on mouth closing	Yes	21 (70%)	18 (60%)	21 (70%)	0.638
Clicking on mouth closing	No	9 (30%)	12 (40%)	9 (30%)	0.638
Psychiatric history	Yes	17 (56.7%)	13 (43.3%)	18 (60%)	0.392
Psychiatric history	No	13 (43.3%)	17 (56.7%)	12 (40%)	0.392
Splint use	Yes	6 (20%)	9 (30%)	9 (30%)	0.600
Splint use	No	24 (80%)	21 (70%)	21 (70%)	0.600
Ear pain	Yes	10 (33.3%)	12 (40%)	12 (40%)	0.828
Ear pain	No	20 (66.6%)	18 (60%)	18 (60%)	0.828
Jaw locking	Yes	19 (63.3%)	18 (60%)	19 (63.3%)	0.954
Jaw locking	No	11 (36.7%)	12 (40%)	11 (36.7%)	0.954
Eating restriction	Yes	13 (43.3%)	16 (53.3%)	12 (40%)	0.559
Eating restriction	No	17 (56.7%)	14 (46.7%)	18 (60%)	0.559
Sleep problem	Yes	14 (46.7%)	15 (50%)	17 (56.7%)	0.733
Sleep problem	No	16 (53.3%)	15 (50%)	13 (43.3%)	0.733
Headache	Yes	12 (40%)	13 (43.3%)	11 (36.7%)	0.870
Headache	No	18 (60%)	17 (56.7%)	19 (63.3%)	0.870

		Groups; means (SD)			TIa	TIb
		DN	KT	Control	p	p
Pain intensity	Pre	7.20 (0.80)	7.50 (0.63)	7.56 (0.67)	0.150	<0.001
	Post	4.33 (0.75)	6.03 (0.96)	7.20 (0.71)	<0.001
	TIc	<0.001	<0.001	0.032
	Cohen'd	2.844	1.326	0.412
Depression	Pre	20.23 (5.39)	21.23 (5.04)	19.87 (4.77)	0.551	0.464
	Post	18.10 (4.33)	18.03 (4.01)	18.30 (3.54)	0.960
	TIc	0.011	0.001	0.124
	Cohen'd	0.497	0.642	0.289
Mouth opening	Pre	28.93 (4.38)	31.20 (3.54)	29.67 (3.64)	0.077	<0.001
	Post	33.10 (4.89)	31.23 (3.74)	29.60 (3.84)	0.012
	TIc	<0.001	0.919	0.807
	Cohen'd	1.173	0.018	0.449
Maximum mouth opening	Pre	32.20 (4.45)	34.07 (3.51)	32.03 (3.99)	0.076	<0.001
	Post	35.77 (4.47)	34.37 (3.16)	31.80 (3.33)	<0.001
	TIc	<0.001	0.423	0.269
	Cohen'd	1.561	0.148	0.205
Right lateral jaw movement	Pre	6.07 (1.01)	5.97 (0.92)	6.03 (1.03)	0.921	0.155
	Post	6.63 (0.99)	6.63 (0.81)	6.07 (1.28)	0.138
	TIc	<0.001	<0.001	0.088
	Cohen'd	0.730	0.879	0.322
Center lateral jaw movement	Pre	6.07 (1.01)	5.97 (0.92)	6.03 (1.03)	0.921	0.157
	Post	6.63 (0.99)	6.63 (0.81)	6.07 (1.28)	0.107
	TIc	0.006	0.002	0.902
	Cohen'd	0.545	0.628	0.022
Protrusion	Pre	2.33 (0.54)	2.37 (0.55)	2.33 (0.54)	0.965	0.049
	Post	2.93 (0.64)	2.83 (0.59)	2.50 (0.51)	0.010
	TIc	<0.001	<0.001	0.258
	Cohen'd	1.204	0.919	0.210
Sleep quality	Pre	9.83 (3.65)	10.60 (2.19)	8.40 (2.59)	0.004	0.035
	Post	8.97 (2.89)	10.17 (2.03)	8.40 (2.38)	0.010
	TIc	0.008	0.025	>0.999
	Cohen'd	0.517	0.430	0.000

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[TFN1] F: one-way analysis of variance in repeated measures; DN: dry needling; KT: kinesio taping. Note: p<0.05. Pain intensity was similar across groups at baseline (p=0.150), but differed significantly post-intervention (p<0.001). Pain decreased significantly in both DN and KT groups (p<0.001), and modestly in the control group (p=0.032). Change scores confirmed a significant treatment effect (p<0.001).