Analgesic action of gabapentin on chronic pain in the masticatory muscles: a randomized controlled trial.
Chronic masticatory myalgia (CMM) can be defined as constant pain in the masticatory muscles for more than 6 months and is influenced by the central nervous system. The antiepileptic agent gabapentin acts centrally and is used for managing different types of chronic pain conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic action of gabapentin on CMM. In this 12-week randomized controlled clinical trial 50 patients were randomly allocated into two study groups: 25 received gabapentin and 25 received placebo. The outcome measures utilized were pain reported on a VAS (VAS-pain), Palpation Index (PI) and impact of CMM on daily functioning reported on a VAS (VAS-function). Thirty-six patients completed the study. Gabapentin showed to be clinically and statistically superior to placebo in reducing pain reported by patients (gabapentin=51.04%; placebo=24.30%; P=0.037), masticatory muscle hyperalgesia (gabapentin=67.03%; placebo=14.37%; P=0.001) and impact of CMM on daily functioning (gabapentin=57.70%; placebo=16.92%; P=0.022). It can be concluded from this study that gabapentin is effective for the management of CMM.
Kimos
Pablo
P
TMD/Orofacial Pain Clinic, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta., Canada.
Biggs
Catherine
C
Mah
Jennifer
J
Heo
Giseon
G
Rashiq
Saifudin
S
Thie
Norman M R
NM
Major
Paul W
PW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin