Ear Acupuncture Therapy for Masticatory Myofascial and Temporomandibular Pain: A Controlled Clinical Trial.
Ear acupuncture works by reducing painful sensations with analgesic effect through microsystem therapy and has been demonstrated to be as effective as conventional therapies in the control of facial pain. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the adjuvant action of auricular acupuncture through an observation of the evolution of temporomandibular and masticatory myofascial symptoms in two groups defined by the therapies elected: auricular acupuncture associated with occlusal splint (study) and the use of the occlusal splint plate alone (control). We have selected 20 patients, who were randomly allocated into two groups of ten individuals. Symptoms were evaluated in five different moments, every seven days. We analyzed the orofacial muscle and joint palpation in order to measure the intensity of the experienced pain. Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in muscle and joint symptoms (p < 0.05). However, comparisons between the groups showed an expressive and significant reduction of symptomatology in the study group (p < 0.05) already on the first week of therapy. According to the results, to the methodological criteria developed and statistical analysis applied, the conclusion is that auricular acupuncture therapy has synergistic action on conventional occlusal splint treatment. It was demonstrated to be effective in the reduction of symptoms in the short term.
Departamento de Radiologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Luiz Andrade Silveira 207, Centenário, 36045-280 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Luciano Ambrosio
LA
Ferreira
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Coronel Corte Real 513, Petrópolis, 90630-080 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Eduardo
E
Grossmann
Facsete/Ciodonto Faculdade de Tecnologia de Sete Lagoas, Avenida Prudente Morais 287, Sala 703, 30350-093 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Eduardo
E
Januzzi
Facsete/Ciodonto Faculdade de Tecnologia de Sete Lagoas, Rua Padre Marinho 98, Santa Efigênia, 30140-040 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Rafael Tardin Rosa Ferraz
RT
Gonçalves
Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, Avenida Brasil 1438, Sala 906, Funcionários, 30140-003 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Fernando Antonio Guedes
FA
Mares
Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), s/n, Martelos, 36036-330 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Marcos Vinicius Queiroz
MV
de Paula
Departamento de Radiologia da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CCS, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Bloco K, 2° Andar, Sala 49, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Antonio Carlos Pires
AC
Carvalho