Hypnorelaxation as treatment for myofascial pain disorder: a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Hypnorelaxation has a potentially beneficial effect in the treatment of masticatory myofascial pain disorders (MPD). However, there are no data regarding the efficacy of hypnorelaxation in the treatment of MPD compared with other accepted modes of treatment (such as occlusal appliance) or with the mere effect of time.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hypnorelaxation in the treatment of MPD compared with the use of occlusal appliance and/or to minimal treatment. The study population consisted of 40 female patients with myofascial pain who were allocated to 1 of 3 possible treatment groups: (1) hypnorelaxation (n = 15), (2) occlusal appliance (n = 15), and (3) minimal treatment group (n = 10).


RESULTS
Both active treatment modes (hypnorelaxation and occlusal appliance) were more effective than minimal treatment regarding alleviating muscular sensitivity to palpation. However, only hypnorelaxation (but not occlusal appliance) was significantly more effective than minimal treatment with regard to the patient's subjective report of pain on the Visual Analog Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypnorelaxation is an effective mode of treatment in MPD, especially with regard to some of the subjective pain parameters.
Winocur
Ephraim
E
Department of Occlusion and Behavioral Sciences, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. winocur@post.tau.ac.il
Gavish
Anat
A
Emodi-Perlman
Alona
A
Halachmi
Michele
M
Eli
Ilana
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001326:Autogenic Training; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010173:Palpation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome