REVIEW article
Front. Robot. AI
Sec. Biomedical Robotics
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/frobt.2025.1492275
This article is part of the Research TopicAdvancing Medical Robotics: From Clinical Needs to Real-World ApplicationsView all 7 articles
Exoskeletons for the Rehabilitation of Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Provisionally accepted
- 1Simulations, Systems Optimization and Robotics Group, Department of Computer Science, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
- 2Frankfurt Orofacial Regenerative Medicine (FORM) Lab, Department of Oral, Cranio-Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, Medical Center of the Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Despite the many technological advancements in exoskeletons for the rehabilitation of lower or upper limbs, there has been limited exploration of their application in treating temporomandibular disorders, a set of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the masticatory system. By collecting data, implementing assisting and resisting training routines, and encouraging active patient engagement, exoskeletons could provide controlled and individualized exercise with flexibility in time and location to aid in the recovery or improvement of jaw mobility and function. Thus, they might offer a valuable alternative or complement to conservative physiotherapy. In this context, the review aims to draw attention to rehabilitating temporomandibular disorders with the help of exoskeletons by looking at the advantages and opportunities these devices potentially provide. After stating the requirements and resulting scientific challenges in various fields and discussing the state of the art, existing research gaps and deficiencies will be discussed, highlighting areas where further research and development is needed.
Keywords: exoskeletons, Robotics, Temporomandibular disorders, TMD, Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, review
Received: 06 Sep 2024; Accepted: 14 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Müller, Sader and von Stryk. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Paul-Otto Müller, Simulations, Systems Optimization and Robotics Group, Department of Computer Science, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
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