Social Media-Based Pain Neuroscience Education for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To examine the feasibility of a social networking site-based self-management intervention involving pain neuroscience education (PNE) for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) among young adults and its initial efficacy in exploratory outcomes, including pain and somatization.

Pilot randomized controlled trial.

Korean-speaking adults aged 20-29 with temporomandibular joint pain having smartphone Internet access. The one-week intervention included two animated videos on pain neuroscience and self-management instructions addressing poor habits limiting jaw movement and exercises to alleviate TMD symptoms. The control group received self-management guidance only. Besides pain, the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis II assessed oral health and psychological aspects. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale and Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) Part A measured anxiety and central sensitization, respectively. Besides feasibility benchmarks, a t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine the initial efficacy of PNE plus self-management on self-management alone.

Sixty-six participants were included in the study, with 33 participants in each group. Most participants expressed satisfaction with both interventions, with retention rates exceeding 87%. Differences in pain somatization were reported (t = 2.03, p = .046) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Differences in pain (t = 1.80, p = .077) and depression (t = 1.88, p = .061) did not reach statistical significance.

The feasibility of the PNE and self-management education was favorable. PNE, when combined with self-management, significantly reduced pain somatization compared with self-management alone.

A social networking site-assisted self-management intervention for TMD can help nurses provide education in primary care settings and communities.