RT Journal Article T1 Pressure release technique versus placebo applied to cervical and masticatory muscles in patients with chronic painful myofascial temporomandibular disorder: A randomised clinical trial A1 Serrano Hernanz, Gema A1 Angulo Carrére, María Teresa A1 Ardizone García, Ignacio A1 Svensson, Peter A1 Álvarez Méndez, Ana María AB Background: The therapeutic approach to myofascial TMD should focus on pain relief and rehabilitation of function.Objective: This study investigated whether pressure release technique (PRT) is effec- tive for reducing pain in people with chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Methods: A single-blinded randomised parallel-group trial, with 3 months follow-up was conducted. A total of 72 patients were randomly allocated to receive PRT or sham PRT. Primary outcome was pain assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), range of opening of the mouth (ROM), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), State–Trait Anxiety Index (STAI) and State– Trait Depression Index (ST-DEP). All parameters were assessed at baseline, at the end of the treatment and at 3 months follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA.Results: There were significant main effects of time, group and interaction between time and group (F ≥ 21.92; p < .001) on VAS pain. Post hoc tests showed a significant reduction in VAS pain scores in the PRT group (≥31.9%; p < .001). Effect sizes were moderate in the PRT group at all follow-up periods (≥1.25 Cohen's d). Also, there were significant effects of time in secondary outcomes (F ≥ 9.65; p < .001), and there were also interactions between time and group (F ≥ 3.82; p < .002) with better effects in the PRT group.Conclusions: The inclusion of PRT to conventional management with occlusal splints and self-care management appears to be effective to improve self-reported levels of pain in patients with chronic myofascial TMD pain. Retrospectively registered (Clini calTrials.gov: NCT03619889). PB Wiley Online Library SN 1365-2842 YR 2023 FD 2023-05 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72431 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72431 LA eng NO Serrano‐Hernanz, G.; Angulo‐Carrere, T.; Ardizone‐García, I.; Svensson, P.; Álvarez‐Méndez, A.M. Pressure Release Technique versus Placebo Applied to Cervical and Masticatory Muscles in Patients with Chronic Painful Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder: A Randomised Clinical Trial. J of Oral Rehabilitation 2023, 50, 782–791, doi:10.1111/joor.13490. DS Docta Complutense RD 11 may 2025