[Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy in reduction of orofacial pain].
BACKGROUND
Patients with craniomandibular disorders suffer from hypertonic, fatigued and painful masticatory muscles.This condition can lead to limitation of mandibular jaw movements. All of these symptoms and signs are included in myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome.Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used for treatment of these patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the effect ofTENS therapy on chronic pain reduction in patients with the muscular dysfunction symptom.


METHODS
In order to evaluate the effect ofTENS therapy before and after the treatment, Craniomandibular Index (Helkimo) was used. Pain intensity was measured by VAS. Patients had TENS treatment over two-week period. BURST TENS modality was used. Current intensity was individually adjusted.


RESULTS
Two patients did not respond to TENS therapy. Complete pain reduction was recorded in 8 patients, while pain reduction was not significantly different after TENS therapy in 10 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
TENS therapy was confirmed as therapeutic procedure in orofacial muscle relaxation and pain reduction.
Igor
I
Djordjević
Vojkan
V
Lazić
Ana
A
Todorović
Aleksandra
A
Cairović
Valentina
V
Veselinović
Slavoljub
S
Zivković
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D013577:Syndrome; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult