Acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular muscle dysfunction

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular dysfunction consists of frequent non-dental pain in the orofacial region of multifactorial origin and interdisciplinary treatment, among them, acupuncture. The treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction acts both in muscle relaxation and pain control, trying to achieve the physical, mental, and emotional balance of the patient, thus reducing anxiety and improving the quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate acupuncture as a treatment for temporomandibular dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 34 volunteers screened and selected at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, diagnosed with muscle dysfunction according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria. They were randomly divided into two equal groups: group 1 treated with occlusal plaque, massage, thermotherapy and selfcare guidelines; and group 2 treated with six acupuncture sessions lasting 30 minutes each. The pain was evaluated by the visual analog scale, and an algometer to assess the muscular tension of the temporal and masseter muscles. The limitation of mouth opening was measured with the use of calipers. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the non-normal distribution (visual analog scale and tension threshold) between the two groups (G1 and G2), and the Friedman test to compare the assessment periods (beginning of the treatment, after six weeks and four months) with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was no difference in mouth opening, visual analog scale scores, or muscle tension threshold in relation to the type of treatment used. Both groups improved after six weeks of treatment. There was no statistical difference in the values obtained after six weeks and after four months. Acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular muscle dysfunction Acupuntura no tratamento da disfunção temporomandibular muscular Evelyn de Freitas Boscaine1, Elenir Rose Jardim Cury Pontes1, Daisilene Baena Castillo1, Lirane da Silva Carneiro Suliano2, Nelson Talatoci Oshiro Filho1 Evelyn de Freitas Boscaine \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6469-3916; Elenir Rose Jardim Cury Pontes \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2711-0667; Daisilene Baena Castillo \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4261-7503; Lirane da Silva Carneiro Suliano \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1590-0517; Nelson Talatoci Oshiro Filho \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3632-5929. 1. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Faculdade de Odontologia, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil. 2. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. Submitted on February 13, 2019. Accepted for publication on October 16, 2019. Conflict of interests: none – Sponsoring sources: none. Correspondence to: Avenida Costa e Silva. S/no Bairro Universitário 79070-900 Campo Grande, MS, Brasil. E-mail: [email protected] © Sociedade Brasileira para o Estudo da Dor CONCLUSION: The statistical results showed that acupuncture increased the muscle tension threshold, improved the mouth opening and reduced pain, being as effective as the most commonly used conventional therapies.