EFFECTS OF INTERVENTIONS FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS ON OUTCOMES RELATED TO SOMATOSENSORY TINNITUS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Somatosensory tinnitus is a condition whose perception may be influenced by stimuli arising from muscular and articular structures of the craniocervical region, including those associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This study aimed to analyze the scientific evidence regarding the effects of TMD-directed interventions on tinnitus-related outcomes, considering the therapeutic approaches and clinical results reported in the literature. An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and SciELO databases, including publications from 2016 to 2026 in Portuguese and English. Nine studies encompassing different methodological designs and therapeutic approaches were included. The interventions comprised manual therapy, dry needling, stabilization occlusal splints, therapeutic exercises, health education, and multidisciplinary approaches. The findings demonstrated favorable effects on tinnitus intensity, severity, and annoyance in some patients, as well as improvements in pain and temporomandibular function. However, improvement in TMD symptoms was not necessarily associated with complete tinnitus resolution. It is concluded that conservative and multidisciplinary interventions targeting TMD show promising results regarding tinnitus-related outcomes, although methodological heterogeneity and variations in therapeutic protocols limit the determination of their effectiveness. Further robust clinical studies with standardized diagnostic criteria and longer follow-up periods are needed.