The effects of ULF-TENS stimulation on gnathology: the state of the art.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of the art in the current literature regarding the effect of ultra low frequency-transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS) on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).


METHODS
The authors reviewed the literature through a thorough manual and electronic research on PubMed database (using the Medical Subject Headings thesaurus) and subsequent analysis of all the found papers regarding the effect of TENS on TMD patients. No randomized controlled trials on the investigated topic were found. Only eight papers regarding controlled clinical trials (CCT) were selected according to the search strategy selection criteria.


RESULTS
According to the available literature and the authors' experience, ULF-TENS seems to be a valid support in the management of TMD patients, but also a 'provocative' tool, so its application should always be monitored by electromyographic and electrognathographic analysis (before and after TENS).


CONCLUSIONS
Further clinical studies (mainly randomized controlled trials) on ULF-TENS application in neuromuscular gnathology are needed.
Nicolae
N
Chipaila
Fabrizio
F
Sgolastra
Alessandro
A
Spadaro
Davide
D
Pietropaoli
Chiara
C
Masci
Ruggero
R
Cattaneo
Annalisa
A
Monaco
D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000379:methods; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*