Original Research

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 3 | Page : 95-106

Functional Impact of PEMF Therapy in Symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorders

Ashish Kallur-1, Nagachandran K S-2, Remmiya Mary Varghese-3

1-Postgraduate Resident, 2-Professor, 3-Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, TamilNadu.

Address for Correspondence:

Dr Remmiya Mary Varghese,

Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,

Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals,

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University

Chennai, TamilNadu.

Email ID: remmiyav.sdc@saveetha.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders represent prevalent musculoskeletal disorders causing pain, restricted mandibular movements and impaired quality of life (QoL). Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has emerged as a non-invasive adjunct with proposed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, a robust trial on its functional and psychosocial impact is lacking. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the psychological and functional effects of PEMF therapy in symptomatic TMDs.

METHODS: This trial was conducted at a private dental teaching hospital in Chennai, India. 38 participants aged 18–50 years with myogenous or disc-related TMDs (DC/TMD Axis I) were randomly allocated to PEMF or placebo groups using an odd–even method. The intervention group used a closed-loop PEMF device (27.12 MHz, ~1000 pulses/second) via an over-the-ear assembly for a minimum of 12 hours daily over 6 weeks. Maximum mouth opening (MMO) and QoL (ACPA-QoL scale) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (MMO) and unpaired-samples t-test (QoL).

RESULTS: MMO improved marginally in the intervention group (35.17±5.08 mm to 35.61±5.06 mm) and control group (34.56±6.44 mm to 35.16±5.71 mm), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.704). QoL scores showed variable change in both groups (intervention: 5.72±0.96 to 5.48±1.34; control: 5.28±1.60 to 5.39±1.54) and failed to show statistically significant differences (p=0.804).

CONCLUSION: PEMF therapy did not produce statistically significant improvements in mandibular mobility and QoL after a 6 week period compared to placebo. The null hypothesis was accepted. The findings of this study may suggest that functional and psychosocial recovery in TMDs follow a slower, multifactorial trajectory, warranting larger, multi-center trials with extended follow-up.

KEYWORDS: Temporomandibular disorders; PEMF; Functional limitations; Quality of life; Placebo.

CTRI registration number-CTRI/2025/11/097152.

SOURCES OF FUNDING

Nil

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript. No financial, personal, or professional relationships exist that could be perceived to influence the work presented.

How to cite this article: Ashish Kallur, Nagachandran K S, Remmiya Mary Varghese. Functional Impact of PEMF Therapy in Symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorders. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (3): 95-106.

Doi: https://doi.org/10.56501/internationaljournaloforthodonticrehabilitation/vol-17/issue-3/ms-2026-012