Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42574083›Full record

SynthesisPhysiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy2026

Effect of Hamstring Stretching on Pain at Masseter Muscle and Mouth Opening: A Systematic Review.

Nafisa Sarfaraz, Kalpana Zutshi, Ifra Aman, Heba Parwaiz

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nafisa SarfarazJamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0106-6007
Kalpana ZutshiJamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3494-5665
Ifra AmanJamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5046-1700
Heba ParwaizJamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5336-3730

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHamstring flexibility can potentially affect the mobility and function of remote musculoskeletal areas, including the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), thereby increasing tension along the myofascial chain and potentially reducing mouth opening, contributing to orofacial discomfort. This review aims to inform clinical practice by exploring the integrated impact of these interventions within the framework of neuro-myofascial connectivity.

methodsA comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases spanning the period from the year 2006-2025, restricted to studies published in the English language. Keywords and MeSH terms corresponding to hamstring stretching, mouth opening and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) mobility were used incorporating Boolean operators. Randomized control trials and experimental studies investigating acute or short term effects of hamstring stretching on Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain and mouth opening were included.

resultsThe preliminary results indicate that hamstring stretching can result in temporary improvements in pressure pain threshold and mouth opening; however, the results should be interpreted with caution and the number of the RCTs is small and heterogeneous.

conclusionThe findings support the possibility of myofascial and neural interconnections between the posterior chain and masticatory system; however, the current evidence is insufficient to establish definitive mechanistic conclusions.

trial registrationPROSPERO number: CRD420251173297.

Indexed as

Hamstring MusclesMasseter MuscleMuscle Stretching ExercisesTemporomandibular Joint DisordersHumansRange of Motion, ArticularTemporomandibular Jointflexibilityhamstringkinetic chainmouth openingmyofascial connectionsPNFstretchingtemporomandibular jointTMJ mobility

Identifiers

PMID42574083
PMCPMC13456089

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.