Expectations and Experiences of Internet-Based Therapy for Adolescents with TMD Pain

To investigate expectations and experiences of internet-based therapy (IBT) in adolescents with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain.

Seven adolescents were strategically selected for this study. All patients had received IBT for their TMD pain in a previous randomized controlled trial. One-on-one interviews were conducted in a nonclinical setting. The interviews were semi-structured, following an interview guide with six domains. The recorded interviews were transcribed, and a qualitative inductive content analysis was then performed.

Content analysis indicated that the expectations of the adolescents and their experiences of IBT as a treatment for TMD pain can be understood in light of three main categories: (1) To become better; (2) An ambivalent experience; and (3) A personal challenge. The adolescents expressed expectations of less TMD pain after treatment, but also of improvement in general well-being and everyday life. Although their experiences of IBT varied, adolescents described having mixed feelings about treatment and feeling that it was personally challenging.

Gained understanding of expectations and experiences is a necessary basis for revising the IBT program to meet the demands of adolescents and to improve treatment adherence. Furthermore, the content of the three categories clarifies the values of adolescents, and this understanding can in turn contribute to the development of new patient-centered treatment programs.