Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise for adults and children with pain related to tension-type headache and temporomandibular disorder muscle pain were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was pain severity.
Interventions included in the review were: jaw stretching alone or together with neck stretching with ice; reflex inhibition; posture training and self management; standard physiotherpay exercise; postural relaxation; cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with progressive muscle relaxation and coping, or CBT and posture; home exercises integrated with education; and exercise and splints with or without medication. Comparators included education only, splint only, general information or placebo. Most participants were diagnosed with pain from temporomandibular disorder including joint and muscle; other participants were diagnosed with head and jaw myofascial pain. Outcome measures varied between studies and included pain relief or reduction, pain intensity, success rate and range of motion.
The authors did not state how papers were selected for the review or how many reviewers performed the selection.