ENHANCING RECOVERY IN ATHLETES WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDERS: EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING MODEL ON JOINT MOBILITY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT
Keywords:
Temporomandibular joint disorder; Comprehensive nursing mode; Opening degree; Temporomandibular joint pain; mentality; Life event stress; effectAbstract
Objective: This study examines the impact of a comprehensive nursing intervention on enhancing joint mobility and reducing pain in athletes with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Methods: A total of 110 patients with TMD treated at our hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into a control group (n = 55, receiving routine nursing care) and an observation group (n = 55, receiving comprehensive nursing interventions). Outcomes measured included maximum mouth opening (MMO), masseter tenderness (MT) threshold, and life event scale (LES) scores, alongside various psychological state scores such as the positive coping scale (SCSQ), self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and psychological stress assessment (APSS) score. Additionally, the overall effectiveness of the nursing intervention, and patient treatment compliance were evaluated. Results: The observation group demonstrated significant improvements in MMO and MT thresholds compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, LES scores were significantly lower, indicating fewer life stress events, and psychological assessments showed higher resilience (SCSQ) and lower anxiety and stress levels (SAS and APSS) in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The total effectiveness of the nursing intervention and treatment compliance rates were also significantly higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The application of a comprehensive nursing intervention in managing TMD in athletes is highly effective. It not only improves physical outcomes such as joint mobility and pain thresholds but also positively impacts psychological well-being, enhancing overall treatment adherence and effectiveness. These findings suggest that such interventions should be widely adopted and integrated into sports medicine practices to support the rehabilitation and mental health of athletes with TMD.