Change of Range of Motion of the Temporomandibular Joint after Correction of Mild Scoliosis

[Purpose] This study aimed to verify the change in range of motion of thetemporomandibular joint on correction of scoliosis. [Subjects and Methods] This studyexamined 31 male and female participants in their 20s and 30s with a spinal curve degreeof 10° or greater. The subjects performed therapeutic exercise based on the pilatesexercise system, which is known to be effective in mitigating the spinal curve forpatients with scoliosis. All participants completed an 8-week therapeutic exercise regimento alleviate the scoliosis in which exercise was performed, the exercise was done threetimes a week for 8 weeks and each session lasted 60 minutes. Among them, 19 participantswere selected as an experiment group, whose symptoms were mitigated significantly, and 12participants who did not undergo the exercise were identified as a control group. Allsubject was assessed for spinal curve degree, apparent leg length discrepancy, anddeviation and range of motion of the temporomandibular joint before and after the study.[Results] In the experimental group, the apparent leg length discrepancy and the deviationof the temporomandibular joint were significantly decreased after the exercise, and theROM in the temporomandibular joint was significantly increased. In intergroup comparisons,all variables showed a significant difference. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that asthe spinal curve degree decreases significantly, the range of motion and deviation in thetemporomandibular joint showed a significant change, indicating that mild scoliosis may bea negative factor affecting the deviation and range of motion of the temporomandibularjoint.Key words: Scoliosis, Temporomandibular joint, TMJ ROM