Treatment of Masticatory Muscle Pain with Acupuncture: Is It Necessary to Associate with Occlusal Splints?

• Published in: Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 89 - 94
• Main Authors: Sant'Anna, Crischina Branco Marques, Caxias, Fernanda Pereira de, Zuim, Paulo Renato Junqueira, Januzzi, Marcella Santos, Silva, Emily Viviane Freitas da, Turcio, Karina Helga Leal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medical Association of Pharmacopuncture Institute 01.06.2021; 사단법인약침학회
• Subjects: acupuncture; facial pain; occlusal splint; pain perception; pressure pain threshold; temporomandibular joint disorder; 한의학
• ISSN: 2005-2901; 2093-8152
• DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2021.14.3.89

BackgroundTemporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are treated by different modalities including splints, physiotherapy, and acupuncture. Although all of these offer evidencebased benefits to the patients, avoiding overtreatment is of paramount importance. ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of muscle pain treatment with acupuncture combined with or without occlusal splints. MethodsRecruited patients were allocated to G1 (acupuncture) and G2 (acupuncture and occlusal splint) groups and treated in four consecutive weekly sessions (P1, P2, P3, and P4). The reported pain (RP) and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were assessed before and after each session. ResultsRP decreased after each session in G1, except at P4. In G2, the RP decreased only after the first session, and the PPT did not vary. ConclusionThe assessed treatments did not influence the PPT levels of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Our findings suggest that occlusal splints may not be mandatory along with the acupuncture treatment.