Could Acupuncture Be Useful in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction?
In this study, the effects of acupuncture in comparison with flat occlusal plane appliance were evaluated in patient with myogenic temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The sample consisted of 40 women with TMD and unbalanced energy predominance of Yang Liver Ascension, selected using the Renying and Cunkou pulses, randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and splint. The effect of treatments on the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment, by means of electromyographic activity (root mean square) and pain pressure threshold. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale, and range of mouth opening was evaluated using a millimeter ruler. All evaluations were performed at the beginning and end of the treatment. Visual analog scale score was reduced equally in the two groups (p < 0001), and the increase in range of mouth opening was significant in both groups. A significant difference was detected only in pain pressure threshold of the left masseter in the acupuncture group (p < 0.05). Only root mean square in the at rest position of the right temporal muscle diminished in the final stage of the splint group (p < 0.05). Both treatments reduced the pain intensity of myogenic TMD in the short term and may be considered strategies for control of chronic pain related to TMD.
Department Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil. Electronic address: gricag@hotmail.com.
Cássia Maria
CM
Grillo
Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
Giancarlo De la Torre
Gde L
Canales
Department Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
Ronaldo Seichi
RS
Wada
Superior School of Agriculture "Luiz de Queiroz", University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Marcelo Corrêa
MC
Alves
Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
Célia Marisa Rizzatti
CM
Barbosa
Department of Morphology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
Fausto
F
Berzin
Department Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
Maria da Luz Rosário
Mda L
de Sousa
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
acupuncture therapy; electromyography; facial pain; masticatory muscles