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Chapter 12314Braun(13) used a similar set-up, dividing 58 patients into a treatment group (n= 29) that received postoperative physiotherapy and a control group (n = 29) that did not. Although the 2 groups showed comparable end results, the treatment group had less initial jaw mobility and more complaints of headaches and severe pain in the TMJ region. More importantly, in addition to the markedly larger increase in maximal interincisal opening (MIO) in the treatment group, Braun(13) found a significant chi-square value (P < .05) for patients with an initial mouth opening of 30 mm or less within this group, meaning that patients who received postoperative physical therapy showed a greater increase in MIO than would be expected in a normal distribution. They also found that there was a greater tendency to achieve an MMO of more than 40 mm in patients who had a preoperative MMO of more than 30 mm if they were subjected to physiotherapy. However, no statistical analysis was provided to support this claim. Although Braun(13) also found a markedly larger increase in mean MMO in the treatment group compared with the control group by independent t test, no P value was provided. The authors decided against inclusion of the pain results of this article because the evaluation was mainly dependent on the clinical notes, rather than a VAS pain score, for example; as such, the study was possibly subject to incomplete documentation.Capan et al(14) advocated the use of physiotherapy as soon as within the first 24 hours after discopexy because it prevents the formation of abnormal fibrous tissue. Furthermore, physical therapy can help improve muscle vascularity and muscle mass, while decreasing fatigability. To that end, they performed an RCT comparing a group of patients who performed postoperative physiotherapy exercises at home with a group of patients who underwent the same program, but were supervised by a physiotherapist 3 times per week. The 2 groups showed significant improvement in MMO, protrusion, and lateral movements; however as measured by independent t test a significantly larger change in MMO (P = .01) and protrusion (P = .01) were seen in the patient group that received professional guidance. In comparison no significant difference in lateral movement to the left (P = .24), nor right (P = .46) was found. Furthermore, Nikolas de Meurechy NW.indd 314 05-06-2024 10:15