The purpose of this research was to perform an integrative review of scientific bibliographic production on the use of cryotherapy on temporomandibular disorders treatment, highlighting the techniques, duration, stimulated body area and frequency of application. Literature review was accomplished on Medline, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane Library and IBECS databases. The descriptors used were: Cryotherapy, Cold Temperature, Induced Hypothermia, Heat Transference, Temporomandibular Joint, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome and their equivalents in Portuguese and Spanish. Articles that addressed the cryotherapy for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, published in English, Spanish or Portuguese, between 1980 and 2013, were included. The following data were collected: technique, duration of application, stimulated area and frequency of application. Initially, 34 studies were found, but only 13 were about the selection criteria proposed. Data were tabulated and presented in chronological order. The decrease of body heat can be conducted through application of cold compresses, cold bags or vapocoolant sprays applied to the painful areas, trigger points regions, or in masticatory muscles. The average time of application of the stimulus was 10 to 15 minutes for cold bags and about 10 seconds for vapocoolant sprays, repeated approximately 2 to 4 times per day, preceding muscle stretching techniques. The literature has no consensus about the intensity of the thermal stimulus.
Cryotherapy; Hypothermia, Induced; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Heat Transference; Face; Skin Temperature
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