Weak evidence supports the use of psychosocial interventions for chronic orofacial pain.
METHODS
Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, Central, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for chronic orofacial pain were included. Psychosocial interventions targeted towards changing thoughts, behaviours and/or feelings that may exacerbate pain symptoms through a vicious cycle were eligible. Primary outcomes were pain intensity/severity, satisfaction with pain relief and quality of life.


METHODS
Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Dichotomous outcomes, were expressed as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals, continuous outcomes as mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane test for heterogeneity and the I2 test. Meta-analyses were conducted using the random-effect or the fixed-effect models.


RESULTS
Fifteen of the 17 eligible studies were on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), two on burning mouth syndrome. Psychosocial interventions improved long-term pain intensity (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.50 to -0.18) and depression (SMD -0.35, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.16). However, the risk of bias in these studies was high.


CONCLUSIONS
There is weak evidence to support the use of psychosocial interventions for chronic orofacial pain.
Oral Health and Health Research Programme, Dental Health Services Research Unit, University of Dundee, Scotland UK.
Markus
M
Themessl-Huber