Efficacy of Acupuncture in improving pain, function and quality of life in patients with Masticatory Myofascial Pai

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain syndrome; temporomandibular disorders; M00-M99

• Registration Number: RBR-9hdpq5
• Lead Sponsor: niversidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Brief Summary

Masticatory myofascial pain is the most prevalent muscular temporomandibular disorder (TMD). It primarily affects masseter and temporal muscles. Several treatments, including acupuncture, have been recommended. However, systematic reviews have highlighted gaps in studies and absence of conclusive results. We performed a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving pain, mandibular function, and oral health-related quality of life in women with masticatory myofascial pain. Thirty-six patients diagnosed with masticatory myofascial pain according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were divided into the following two groups: acupuncture or control (non-penetrating acupuncture).Treatment was performed weekly for 5 weeks, and pain, mandibular function, and oral health-related quality of life were evaluated one week before treatment, one week after treatment, and one month after treatment. Non-parametric and parametric tests were used for comparisons between times and treatment groups (significance level of p=0.05). The acupuncture group showed a significant reduction in pain (p=0.01), which was not observed in the control group. Pain intensity was reduced by 61% and 84% at 1 week and 1 month after treatment, respectively. Both groups showed significant improvements in mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life over time (p=0.01). Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference between the groups for any other evaluated outcome (p>0.05). Although acupuncture was effective in pain reduction, nonspecific factors may have influenced mandibular function and oral health-related quality of life improvements in both groups, and this needs to be further addressed

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-10-05
• Study Completion: 2019-12-10
• Last Update Posted: 18 September 2023

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Data analysis completed
• Sex: Not specified
• Target Recruitment: Not specified

Inclusion Criteria

Adults aged 18 to 60 years with a diagnosis of temporomandibular muscle dysfunction, masticatory myofascial pain, according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders; pain of intensity 4 or higher measured by visual analogue scale; pain for at least 3 months; possibility of attending appointments during the treatment and evaluation period

Exclusion Criteria

History of facial trauma; pregnancy; acuphobia; continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, antidepressants or muscle relaxants; intracranial, neurological and other major causes of headache disorders; other causes of orofacial pain; temporomandibular joint arthralgia; being submitted to another type of treatment for temporomandibular disorders; diagnosis of fibromyalgia; edentulism; use of complete denture; non-acceptance to voluntarily participate in the research or refusal to sign the free and informed consent form

Study & Design

• Study Type: Intervention
• Study Design: Not specified