title: Effects of an occlusal splint compared with cognitive-behavioral treatment on sleep bruxism activity.
abstract: The impact of an occlusal splint (OS) compared with cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) on the management of sleep bruxism (SB) has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an OS with CBT in SB patients. Following a randomized assignment, the OS group consisted of 29, and the CBT group of 28, SB patients. The CBT comprised problem-solving, progressive muscle relaxation, nocturnal biofeedback, and training of recreation and enjoyment. The treatment took place over a period of 12 wk, and the OS group received an OS over the same time period. Both groups were examined pretreatment, post-treatment, and at 6 months of follow-up for SB activity, self-assessment of SB activity and associated symptoms, psychological impairment, and individual stress-coping strategies. The analyses demonstrated a significant reduction in SB activity, self-assessment of SB activity, and psychological impairment, as well as an increase of positive stress-coping strategies in both groups. However, the effects were small and no group-specific differences were seen in any dependent variable. This is an initial attempt to compare CBT and OS in SB patients, and the data collected substantiate the need for further controlled evaluations, using a three-group randomized design with repeated measures to verify treatment effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. Michelle.Ommerborn@uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ommerborn
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giraki
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Handschel
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: Wolfgang H-M
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Raab
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D011594:Psychometrics; D012647:Self-Assessment; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020186:Sleep Bruxism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric