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ePaper created 2017-09-06, 09:11:22 | version 1.38.0
industry report training with RehaBite Sensorimotor training with RehaBite during orthodontic treatment Author: Dr Daniel Hellmann, Germany In daily practice, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are usually treated with splints, such as Michigan splints, or similar devices. However, orthodontists have the problem that occlusal splints cannot be used in patients who are grow- ing, or in patients undergoing therapy. In this context, sensorimotor training is an efective therapy for pain relief. Relieving postures caused by TMD pain can be eliminated without any in- fluence on the occlusion of the patient. Addition- ally, neuromuscular adaptation will be supported actively using the RehaBite sensorimotor train- ing appliance during orthodontic treatment. Motor adaptation and rehabilitation Healthy motion sequences can transform to re- lieving posture patterns1 due to musculoskeletal pain, changing the intra- and intermuscular re- cruitment patterns. This can cause stifening of muscles, in conjunction with a reduced range of movement patterns. The stifening process is a natural response that provides temporary relief by splinting the painful areas. Longer periods of pain can lead to lasting restriction of the physio- logical range of movement. In the long term, such relieving postures can trigger unphysiological stress of the tissue involved. Modern therapeutic concepts use active rehabilitation measures to improve motion patterns. Such actions can help to relieve painful adaptations triggered by coacti- vation patterns of the muscle structures involved.2–4 Coordinative sensorimotor training with RehaBite Numerous studies have stated that home exer- cises can have an equally therapeutic efect like regular occlusal splints (Michigan splints or sim- ilar).5–7 Sensorimotor training with the RehaBite device improves the neuromuscular adaptation by controlling the movement and positioning of the mandible. Increased strain of sensory feed- back systems and the stimulation of central ner- vous integration processes are triggered by sensori- motor training. The coordinative training leads to long-lasting changes of the intra- and inter muscular recruitment pattern. In conjunction with the train- ing efect, it is assumed that coordinative training also causes structural modifications in specific cortical regions.8, 9 In patients with muscle pain, the coordinative training can cause a hypalgesic efect, that is a significant reduction of sensitivity to pain (exercise-induced hypalgesia).10 Practice of coordinative training with RehaBite RehaBite is a training device for home treatment and rehabilitation of muscle pain of the mastica- tory system. The elastic, fluid-filled bite pads work in accordance with the hydrostatic princi- ple. In other words, the mandible can auto- balance itself11 on the fluid-filled bite pads like a see-saw (Fig. 1). The automatic, built-in feedback of the device provides the patient the ability to control the intensity of her training, and makes it possible 38 ortho 2/2017