[TEAS for prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on prevention and treatment of orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 85 patients of malocclusions in the preliminary diagnosis were randomly divided into a control group (20 cases), a psychological intervention group (22 cases), a medication group (20 cases) and a TEAS group (23 cases). Orthodontics treatment was given in all the groups. Patients in the control group received no further treatment; patients in the psychological intervention group received comprehensive psychological intervention, including cognitive education and music therapy; patients in the medication group received oral administration of ibuprofen; patients in the TEAS group received TEAS at Juliao (ST 3), Jiachengjiang (Extra) and auricular point Ya (LO1). The treatment was given twice a day, one in morning and one at night, for 7 days. The pain scores of orthodontic toothache and changes of oral dysfunction were observed in all groups. RESULTS: (1) At 5 time points from the 12th hour to the 4th day, the scores of spontaneous pain in TEAS group were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.01); during the time points, the scores in TEAS group were lower than those in the psychological intervention group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0.05). (2) During the peak cycle of spontaneous toothache, the scores of irritation pain in TEAS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P < O.01), regardless of time-point statistics or general statistics; the scores of irritation pain in the TEAS group were also significantly lower than those in the psychological intervention group (all P < 0.01), which were similar to those in the medication group (all P > 0. 05). (3) Compared with control group, the grading of talking disorder in the remaining groups did not change significantly (P > 0.05). (4) Compared with control group, the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder in TEAS group was significantly reduced (P < O.05), which was not different from that in the medication group (P > 0.05). The differences of the grading of moderate-severe eating disorder were not significantly different between the psychological intervention group and control group (P > 0.05). (5) There were 3 cases of digestive system adverse reactions in the medication group. CONCLUSION: TEAS can efficiently prevent orthodontic toothache and oral dysfunction, which is superior to psychological intervention and similar to medication. In addition, it can avoid possible side-effect of medication.