What is the minimal important difference of pain intensity, mandibular function, and headache impact in patients with temporomandibular disorders? Clinical significance analysis of a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Musculoskeletal science & practice Vol. 46; no. NA; p. 102108
• Main Authors: Calixtre, Letícia Bojikian, Oliveira, Ana Beatriz, Alburquerque-Sendín, Francisco, Armijo-Olivo, Susan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2020
• Subjects: Global rating of change scale; Minimal clinically important difference; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Temporomandibular disorders; Temporomandibular disorders; Minimal clinically important difference; Global rating of change scale
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 2468-8630; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102108

There are insufficient studies providing Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for outcomes related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). (1) To provide the MCID of outcomes related to TMD using the Global Rating of Change Scale (GRCS) as an anchor. (2) To verify which outcomes can predict a moderate or large response to the treatment. Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in subjects with TMD. Sixty-one women with TMD were divided into intervention and control groups. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ), and Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) were collected at baseline and 5-weeks follow-up. Participants were divided based on their response to the treatment, according to the GRCS. MCID values were provided for subjects that moderately or largely improved to the treatment. MCID was between 0 and 1.90 for orofacial pain, around 2 points for the MFIQ, between 3 and 6.26 points for the HIT-6, around 0.2 kg/cm2 for the PPTs on masticatory muscles, around 2.5 mm for MMO and between 60 and 68 points for CCFT. Orofacial pain and HIT-6 were the most discriminative variables at determining whether patients would largely/moderately improve or would not improve after treatment. The values of MCID could be used as guidance for both clinical practice and research. Pain intensity and headache impact were the most predictive outcomes for improvement of the general health status of women with TMD. •The MCID for important outcomes related to TMD were provided.•The MCID values can be used in both clinical practice and future research.•Pain and headache impact are the most predictive outcomes for females with TMD.•Future studies should continue applying VAS and HIT-6 .•Clinicians should apply VAS and HIT-6 to verify the effects of their intervention. .