The
authors tested two groups of female
patients with TMD to evaluate the benefits
of using the Facial Flex exerciser over
a 60 day period. One group used the
device twice a day and a control group
did not use it.
Two tests were
used to evaluate the patients condition;
one the Dysfunction Index, DI, obtained
by clinical examination of mandibular
movement, TMJ noise and TMJ capsule
palpation; the other the Palpation
Index, PI, obtained by clinical examination/palpation
of the extra oral and intraoral muscles.
The Craniomandibular Index, CMI, combines
the Dysfunction and Palpation Indexes
by the formula CMI=DI+PI/2.
The report lists
individual DI and PI Index figures
for all patients before and after
the 60 day test period. However, the
Craniomandibular CMI figures have
not been calculated and tabulated
even though the authors conclude,
"the CMI alone shows a statistically
significant difference concerning
the improvements exhibited by the
two groups as a result of the treatment".
The tables that follow include both
individual and average Craniomandibular
index figures. The average CMI figures
are compared below for both groups
before and after the 60 day test.
Improvement as
measured by change in average CMI
showed the control group improved
by 11.8% while the experimental group
improved by 41.8%.
Initial Exam
Final Exam
CMI change
Control Group
7.37
6.50
.87 (11.8%)
Experimental Group
9.31
5.42
3.89 (41.8%)
James B. Godshalk,
B.S.
Chemical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
January 11, 2000
BACK
