This scoping review aims to investigate the association between TMD and vestibular symptoms as well as their prevalence.
A scoping review was conducted, and the results are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines (PRISMA ScR).
Three investigators independently searched for relevant studies published using the following databases: MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, Scopus, Cochrane and Google Scholar. Databases were screened from inception to 13th September 2024 for papers investigating the relationship between TMD and vestibular symptoms. Reference lists of relevant papers and reports were manually searched to identify potentially relevant records.
Searches included published reports in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish using key terms related to TMD and vestibular symptoms.
The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed by the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data from the Joanna Briggs Institute.
The initial search identified 657 records. After titles and abstracts review, 536 studies were excluded due to duplication and irrelevant content. 23 studies met the inclusion criteria for scoping review and were included and analyzed in the final review. Overall risk of bias was considered unclear due to the lack of detailed methodology in the included studies.
Studies indicate a association between vestibular and otological symptoms and TMD. Painful TMD seems to be more associated with dizziness. TMD severity appears to be related to a greater number of vestibular symptoms. TMD and vestibular symptoms are more prevalent in women.
Based on the results of this review and despite methodological quality, scientific evidence suggests an association between TMD and vestibular symptoms. This study tends to provide knowledge over this relationship.
In the future, as otological comorbidities and TMD seem to be interrelated and coexist, physiotherapists need to have a better understanding of how to assess, diagnose and treat people with these conditions. Future studies are needed to provide deeper understanding of this relationship that will enable physiotherapists to adopt critical and evaluative evidence-based practice and implement the best patient-centered practice for people with TMD.
The results of this scoping review will have an important clinical implication since they suggest a positive association between TMD and vestibular symptoms and they will therefore guide physiotherapists to the need to evaluate both systems in people with symptoms in each of the clinical conditions. They will also identify those who may benefit from TMD control once the presence of both conditions can have a major impact on quality of life
Vestibular signs and symptoms
Prevalence and association
