Comparative Evaluation of Physical Therapy and Botulinum Toxin A for Jaw Muscle Spasms: A Multi-Center Study at Military Hospitals of the Jordanian Royal Medical Services (JRMS)

Abedalelah Mohmad Almomani, Batool Awad Alzgoul, Mohammad Faris Aljariri, Hashem Abdullah Mohidat, Loay Elayan Alhammad

Abstract: Jaw muscle spasms, often associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) or bruxism, significantly affect patients? quality of life due to pain, restricted jaw movement, and functional limitations. This prospective, randomized, multi-center study compares the efficacy and safety of physical therapy (PT) versus botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections for managing jaw muscle spasms at two Jordanian Royal Medical Services (JRMS) military hospitals: Prince Rashid Bin Al-Hassan Military Hospital and Prince Ali Military Hospital. A total of 200 patients (100 PT; 100 BoNT-A) clinically diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders or bruxism were equally randomized to receive either structured PT-consisting of manual therapy, exercises, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)-or BoNT-A injections of 25?50 units per masseter muscle. Primary outcomes included pain reduction (Visual Analog Scale), maximum mouth opening, and patient satisfaction assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Secondary outcomes evaluated adverse events and treatment durability. Results showed that PT provided longer-lasting pain relief, greater functional improvement, and fewer adverse events, while BoNT-A offered more rapid but less durable symptom relief. These findings support PT as a preferable first-line intervention for jaw muscle spasms in military healthcare settings.

Keywords: jaw muscle spasms, physical therapy, botulinum toxin, temporomandibular disorders, military healthcare

How to Cite?: Abedalelah Mohmad Almomani, Batool Awad Alzgoul, Mohammad Faris Aljariri, Hashem Abdullah Mohidat, Loay Elayan Alhammad, "Comparative Evaluation of Physical Therapy and Botulinum Toxin A for Jaw Muscle Spasms: A Multi-Center Study at Military Hospitals of the Jordanian Royal Medical Services (JRMS)", Volume 14 Issue 9, September 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 351-354, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25908013101, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25908013101