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

Purpose: 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. Design: Pilot randomized controlled trial. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. Clinical Implications: A social networking site-assisted self-management intervention for TMD can help nurses provide education in primary care settings and communities.