The effects of dry needling and face yoga on pain, depression, function, and sleep quality in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.

CONTEXT: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) poses significant challenges due to its diverse symptoms and impact on patients' daily lives. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of two innovative interventions, dry needling and face yoga, in managing TMD-related issues such as pain, depression, and sleep quality. DESIGN AND STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with TMD symptoms were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial. The patients were divided into three groups: dry needling, face yoga, and a control group. Various assessments, including Visual Analog Scale for pain, Beck Depression Inventory for depression, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, were conducted before and 6 weeks after the interventions. RESULTS: A decrease in pain levels and a statistically significant increase in jaw joint movements (mouth opening, protrusive movement, lateral movements) were observed in the dry needling and face yoga groups after treatment (p <0.05). Additionally, improvements in sleep quality were observed (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: Dry needling and face yoga interventions demonstrated efficacy in managing TMD symptoms, including pain relief and improved jaw movement. The findings suggest that these interventions can be valuable additions to the treatment regimen for patients suffering from TMD-related issues. However, further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying these interventions in TMD management.

Nutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies involved in the pathogenesis of bruxism (Review).

Stress has been well-documented to have a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of bruxism. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and subsequent release of corticosteroids lead to increased muscle activity. Neurological studies have demonstrated that chronic stress exposure induces neurodegeneration of important neuronal structures and destabilization of the mesocortical dopaminergic pathway. These disruptions impair the abilities to counteract the overactivity of the HPA axis and disinhibit involuntary muscle activity, while at the same time, there is activation of the amygdala. Recent evidence shows that overactivation of the amygdala under stressful stimuli causes rhythmic jaw muscle activity by over activating the mesencephalic and motor trigeminal nuclei. The present review aimed to discuss the negative effects of certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, such as vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, on the central nervous system. It provides evidence on how such insufficiencies may increase stress sensitivity and neuromuscular excitability and thereby reduce the ability to effectively respond to the overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, and also how stress can in turn lead to these insufficiencies. Finally, the positive effects of individualized supplementation are discussed in the context of diminishing anxiety and oxidative stress, neuroprotection and in the reversal of neurodegeneration, and also in alleviating/reducing neuromuscular symptoms.

Exploring the Connection Between Domestic Violence and Masticatory Outcomes in the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review.

The potential interplay between domestic violence and masticatory outcomes in children and adolescents has garnered increasing attention. Understanding the association between domestic abuse and specific oral health parameters, such as biting habits, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and bruxism, holds implications for holistic healthcare interventions. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence to elucidate the potential relationships between domestic abuse and targeted oral health outcomes in the pediatric population. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across eight databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Boolean operators and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords were strategically employed to optimize search precision. Clinical studies investigating the relationships between domestic abuse and TMDs, or bruxism, in children and adolescents were included. Two reviewers extracted the data independently. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were critically appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The systematic search identified three papers investigating the associations between domestic abuse and the targeted oral health parameters. Children in the age group of 6-19 years were assessed. The synthesized evidence revealed a consistent association between domestic abuse and masticatory outcomes. Individuals subjected to domestic abuse exhibited a greater percentage of masticatory anomalies. The methodological assessment of the included studies showed good quality. This systematic review provides a notable synthesis of evidence regarding the associations between domestic abuse and masticatory outcomes in children and adolescents. The complex nature of these relationships necessitates further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms and establish causality. The insights from this review highlight the significance of integrating abuse assessment within oral health evaluations and underscore the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to address the potential impact of abusive experiences on the oral health and well-being of the pediatric population.

[Psychological and mental aspects of increased tooth abrasion]. / Psikhologicheskie i psikhicheskie aspekty povyshennoi stiraemosti zubov.

The analysis of literary and other information sources (in PubMed, Google Scholar, KiberLeninka and eLibrary databases) devoted to the study of dental manifestations of psychological conditions and the analysis of the ability of dentists to identify psychological predictors of increased tooth erasure in adolescents and young people. Disorders such as stress, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, alcohol dependence, eating disorders - may be risk factors for the development of increased tooth abrasion. Comorbid conditions such as bruxism and gastroesophageal reflux are also considered. Due to the high mortality of adolescents due to mental illness, early diagnosis of disorders of psychological and mental health of adolescents is extremely relevant. Attention is focused on the possibility of early diagnosis by dentists of psychological and mental problems by the presence and type of increased erasability of teeth. Effective examination and treatment of such patients requires a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.

Effectiveness of Biofeedback in Individuals with Awake Bruxism Compared to Other Types of Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Excessive masticatory muscle activity is generally present in awake bruxism, which is related to increased anxiety and stress. It has been hypothesized that biofeedback could potentially manage awake bruxism, however, its effectiveness has not been empirically analyzed in a systematic manner. Therefore, this systematic review was designed to determine the effectiveness of biofeedback compared to other therapies in adults with awake bruxism. Extensive searches in five databases looking for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included biofeedback to manage awake bruxism were targeted. The risk of bias (RoB) assessment was conducted using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool. Overall, four studies were included in this systematic review, all of which used the electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles during the day and night as the main endpoint. Auditory and visual biofeedback could reduce the excessive level of masticatory muscle activity in a few days of intervention. The majority of the included studies had a high RoB and only one study had a low RoB. The standardization of the biofeedback protocols was also inconsistent, which makes it difficult to establish the ideal protocol for the use of biofeedback in awake bruxism. Thus, it is proposed that future studies seek to reduce methodological risks and obtain more robust samples.

Evaluation of mandibular bone density in bruxers: the value of panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish a difference in mandibular bone density between bruxer and non-bruxer patients, based on panoramic radiographs. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of bruxer and non-bruxer patients were analyzed with ImageJ®. Several radiological determinants were studied on the patients' panoramic radiographs: gray values of cancellous bone and cortical bone, and bony exostoses at the mandibular angle. RESULTS: Thirty-seven bruxers and forty-seven non-bruxers were included in the study. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted in the cancellous to cortical bone ratios of bruxers and non-bruxers: the density of cancellous bone was greater in bruxers than in non-bruxers. The number of bony exostoses at the mandibular angle was significantly higher in bruxers (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study obtained radiological determinants of bruxism from panoramic radiographs. Further studies are needed to supplement this preliminary approach, especially via the analysis of three-dimensional imaging to overcome the limitations of panoramic radiography.

Effect of manual physical therapy on sleep quality and jaw mobility in patients with bruxism: A biopsychosocial randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of deep-stripping and trigger-point pressure release massage on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), jaw mobility, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of masticatory muscles in patients with sleep bruxism. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 45 patients diagnosed with sleep bruxism. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I was the control group and included five men and 10 women; Group II was the deep-stripping massage group, which included two men and 13 women; and Group III was the pressure release group, which involved four men and 11 women. Patients were tested two times, before and after 6 weeks. Group I received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and passive stretching; Group II received a deep-stripping massage; and Group III received a trigger-point pressure release massage. Findings revealed significant improvements in PSQI (p = 0.0001), jaw opening (p = 0.0001), jaw protrusion (p = 0.0001), jaw left lateral movement (p = 0.004), jaw retraction (p = 0.0001), right temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), left temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), right master PPT (p = 0.001), left master PPT (p = 0.001), right lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), left lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), right digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001), and left digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001) in the post-test condition in Group II compared with Group I and Group III. Deep-stripping massage improved PSQI, jaw mobility, or PPT of the masticatory muscles compared with trigger-point pressure release massage and traditional treatment techniques in patients with sleep bruxism.

Masseter Muscle Thickness And Elasticity in Bruxism After Exercise Treatment: A Comparison Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Rocabado's 6 × 6 exercises on masseter muscle thickness, muscle elasticity, and pain scores in patients with bruxism. METHODS: A total of 58 participants with bruxism were divided into 2 groups as the exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). A self-care program was applied for the participants in the CG. For those in the EG, in addition to the self-care program, an exercise treatment was performed for 6 days per week for a total of 8 weeks. Using ultrasonography, bilateral masseter muscle thickness and elasticity were assessed before and after treatment. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale. Changes over time within the groups and group-time interactions for continuous variables were assessed using mixed 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The improvement in muscle elasticity (P = .015; P = .004) and pain values (P = .049; P = .040) were greater in the EG compared with the CG. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups for masseter muscle thickness (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Rocabado's 6 × 6 exercises are effective in the treatment of muscle elasticity and pain values in participants with bruxism.

Influência do autocuidado utilizando as práticas integrativas e complementares durante a pandemia da COVID-19 em crianças e adolescentes de 4 a 13 anos com bruxismo e disfunção temporomandibular / Influence of self-care using complementary and integrative therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents aged 4 to 13 years with bruxism and temporomandibular disorders

O Bruxismo é um comportamento da musculatura mandibular, caracterizado pelo apertamento e/ou rangimento dental, tanto em estado de vigília quanto no sono, que pode acarretar na Disfunção Temporomandibular (DTM). Altamente prevalente em crianças e etiologia multifatorial, destacam-se os aspectos psicossociais, principalmente o estresse e ansiedade. A necessidade de distanciamento social durante a pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe consequências para as crianças e fez surgir novos formatos de ações na Odontologia. Esse estudo avaliou a influência do autocuidado nas manifestações do Bruxismo/DTM em crianças que estavam em tratamento, antes da pandemia, no Serviço de Atendimento de Bruxismo e DTM na Infância (SABDI) da FORP/USP, por meio de intervenções assistidas, implementadas remotamente, de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PICs). Previamente às intervenções (T0), os pais responderam o questionário (Q1) sobre a criança (no formato Google Forms, enviado por WhatsApp e e-mail). As práticas propostas foram explicadas em reuniões virtuais (Google Meet) e foram realizadas durante 21 dias, registradas em um "Diário de Controle". Um novo questionário (Q2) foi preenchido para análise comparativa após as intervenções (T1). Das 37 crianças que estavam em tratamento, a amostra final das 18 que concluíram todas as etapas propostas apresentou diferença quantitativa nos itens: "dor na boca/rosto quando mastiga"; "dor ou dificuldade de abrir e fechar a boca"; "acorda com dor no rosto ou dor de cabeça" e, "dor de cabeça durante o dia ou à noite", "range os dentes em vigília"; "frequência que range os dentes em vigília"; "range os dentes enquanto dorme" e, "frequência que range os dentes enquanto dorme", "sono agitado"; "pesadelo" e "insônia". Observou-se evidência de diferença estatística com valor P<0,05, no item "aperta os dentes em vigília" (p=0,0057). Conclui-se que as intervenções propostas influenciaram as manifestações do Bruxismo favorecendo o seu controle.

Bruxism is a behavior of the mandibular muscles, characterized by clenching and/or dental grinding, both in wakefulness and in sleep, which can lead to Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). Highly prevalent in children and possessing a multifactorial etiology, psychosocial aspects stand out, especially stress and anxiety. The need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has had consequences for children and has given rise to new formats of actions in Dentistry. This study evaluated the influence of self-care on the manifestations of Bruxism/TMD in children who were undergoing treatment, before the pandemic, Care Center for children with Bruxism and TMD, whose acronyms in Portuguese is SABDI, located in Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry (FORP-USP), through assisted interventions, implemented remotely, of Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT). Prior to the interventions (T0), the parents answered the questionnaire (Q1) about the child (in Google Forms, sent by WhatsApp and e-mail). The proposed practices were explained in virtual meetings (Google Meet) and performed for 21 days and recorded in a "Control Diary". A new questionnaire (Q2) was completed for comparative analysis after the interventions (T1). Of the 37 children who were undergoing treatment, the final sample of 18 who completed all the proposed steps showed a quantitative difference in the items: "pain in the mouth/face when chewing"; "pain or difficulty opening and closing the mouth"; "waking up with pain in the face or headache" and "headache during the day or night"; "grinding teeth while awake"; "frequency grinding teeth while awake"; "grinding teeth while sleeping"; "frequency grinding teeth while sleeping"; "restless sleep"; "nightmare"; and "insomnia". Evidence of statistical difference was observed with a P value <0.05, in the item "clenches teeth while awake" (p=0.0057). It is concluded that the proposed interventions influenced the manifestations of Bruxism, favoring its control.

MORE EVIDENCE IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FULL OCCLUSION BIOFEEDBACK SPLINTS USED FOR SLEEP BRUXISM (SB) AND TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER (TMD) PAIN.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Bergmann A, Edelhoff D, Schubert O, Erdelt KJ, Pho Duc JM. Effect of treatment with a full-occlusion biofeedback splint on sleep bruxism and TMD pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Nov;24(11):4005-4018. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03270-z. Epub 2020 May 19. PMID: 32430774; PMCID: PMC7544753. SOURCE OF FUNDING: None. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial (parallel design).

Temporomandibular Myofascial Pain Syndrome-Aetiology and Biopsychosocial Modulation. A Narrative Review.

This review elaborates on the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of temporomandibular (TMD) myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) regulated by psychosocial factors. MPS impairs functioning in society due to the accompanying pain. Directed and self-directed biopsychosocial profile modulation may be beneficial in the treatment of MPS. Moreover, nutrition is also a considerable part of musculoskeletal system health. A fruit and vegetable diet contributes to a reduction in chronic pain intensity because of its anti-inflammatory influence. Cannabidiol (CBD) oils may also be used in the treatment as they reduce stress and anxiety. A promising alternative treatment may be craniosacral therapy which uses gentle fascia palpation techniques to decrease sympathetic arousal by regulating body rhythms and release fascial restrictions between the cranium and sacrum. MPS is affected by the combined action of the limbic, autonomic, endocrine, somatic, nociceptive, and immune systems. Therefore, the treatment of MPS should be deliberated holistically as it is a complex disorder.

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic - temporomandibular disorders and bruxism: What we have learned and what we can do to improve our manner of treatment.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically changed the routine way of life and challenged the ways in which health and dental services are provided. During the 1st lockdown, practiced in most of the countries, routine dental procedures were suspended. Even after the lockdown was eased, visiting crowded dental clinics was still considered health-threatening, especially among populations at high risk of developing a severe reaction to COVID-19. Regretfully, in most cases, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and bruxism were not included under the definition of emergency, leaving many patients without the possibility of consulting their dentists. A literature search, performed about 10 months after the declaration of the pandemic, found only a few studies dealing with TMD and bruxism during COVID-19. Most of the studies indicate adverse effects on subjects' psycho-emotional status (stress, anxiety, depression), which in turn lead to the intensification of subjects' TMD and bruxism symptoms, and increased orofacial pain. Unlike other oral pathologies, which require manual interventions, chronic orofacial pain can be addressed, at least at its initial stage, through teledentistry and/or consultation. Remote first aid for patients suffering from orofacial pain includes various kinds of treatment, such as the self-massage of tense and painful areas, stretching, thermotherapy, drug therapy, relaxation techniques, meditation, and mindfulness, all of which can be administered through the phone and/or the Internet. Relevant legal and ethical issues should be considered while using remote modes for the triage, diagnosis and treatment of chronic orofacial pain patients.

Self-reported sleep bruxism is associated with vitamin D deficiency and low dietary calcium intake: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep bruxism may result in deleterious effects including loss of tooth enamel, fracture of teeth or restorations, teeth hypersensitivity or pain, and headache. The aim was to study the link between sleep bruxism, low serum vitamin D, low consumption of dietary calcium, psychological symptoms, and frequent headache. METHODS: This case-controlled study included 50 individuals with sleep bruxism and 50 age and gender matched controls. 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured in serum. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. Data about dietary calcium and frequent headache were self-reported. RESULTS: Participants with sleep bruxism had lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D and higher scores of anxiety and depression compared to controls (p < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency, abnormal scores of anxiety and depression, low calcium consumption (< 323 mg/day), and frequent headache were reported in higher % of individuals with sleep bruxism compared to controls (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression showed that sleep bruxism was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (OR = 6.66, p = 0.02), low consumption of dietary calcium (OR = 5.94, p = 0.01), and frequent headache (OR = 9.24, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that anxiety was significantly associated with decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p = 0.03), increased scores of depression (p < 0.001) and female sex (p = 0.01). Binary logistic regression also showed that frequent headache was significantly associated with sleep bruxism (OR = 5.51, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep bruxism was associated with vitamin D deficiency and low consumption of calcium and was also associated with increased scores of anxiety and depression. Further investigations should be performed to check if vitamin D and calcium supplementation could relieve sleep bruxism.

Effect of Photobiomodulation on Salivary Cortisol, Masticatory Muscle Strength, and Clinical Signs in Children with Sleep Bruxism: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The diagnosis of sleep bruxism (SB) in children is difficult due to the lack of a polysomnographic protocol for this population. Moreover, the gold standard treatment [occlusal splint (OS) therapy] has limitations, as adequate use depends on the child's cooperation. The etiology of SB may include stress factors. Salivary cortisol is a biomarker used as a noninvasive method to evaluate the response to stress. Besides physiological aspects, it is also important to investigate morphological aspects, such as masticatory muscle strength. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of bite marks on the buccal mucosa in children as a complementary sign for the diagnosis of SB and investigate and the effectiveness of photobiomodulation as an alternative treatment for this condition. Methods: Seventy-six children 6-12 years of age were divided into four groups: G1-with SB and submitted to laser therapy over acupuncture points (λ = 786.94 nm, 20 sec per point, fluency = 33.5 Jcm2, energy = 1 J, number of points = 12); G2-with SB, use of OS, G3-with SB and submitted to sham laser therapy; and G4-control group without SB. Clinical signs (bite marks on buccal mucosa and headaches), bite force (BF), and salivary cortisol (biomarker of stress) were evaluated before and after treatment. Statistical analysis involved the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Results: Bite marks on the buccal mucosa were significantly associated with SB (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the frequency of children with headache before and after treatment in G1 (p = 0.0005) and G2 (p = 0.0001), with no significant differences between the two groups (G1 and G2). The children in G1 had lower BF on both sides compared to the other groups. In the intragroup analysis after treatment, all groups exhibited an increase in salivary cortisol levels. Conclusions: Bite marks on the buccal mucosa can be used as a complementary sign for the clinical diagnosis of SB. Children with SB responded well to photobiomodulation therapy, as evidenced by the reduction in BF and reports of headache.

Alternativas de tratamiento para pacientes jóvenes con pérdida de estructura dentaria. Parte 2: caso clínico / Treatment alternatives for young patients with loss of dental structure. Part 2: a clinical case

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una alternativa de tratamiento rehabilitador para pacientes jóvenes con gran pérdida de estructura dental, vinculada a lesiones de origen no bacteriano. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 39 años de edad, que acudió a la Cátedra de Odontología Integral Adultos de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FOUBA) relatando síntomas compatibles con hipersensibilidad dentaria y fatiga de los músculos masticadores. Al mismo tiempo, manifestó disconformidad con el aspecto estético de su sonrisa. Teniendo en cuenta la gran pérdida de sustancia en sus piezas dentarias producida por hábitos parafuncionales (bruxismo), se realizó una rehabilitación oral adhesiva con cerámicas utilizando el protocolo de abordaje terapéutico sugerido por la Cátedra. En pacientes que presentan severos desgastes (AU)

Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience.

Biofeedback was reported as an effective concept for bruxism treatment, through increasing patient's awareness of the habit. During bruxing both ear canals become tighter, therefore, an in-ear device can provide biofeedback. The in-ear device is fitted to the ear canal in physiological status, during bruxing the ear-canal tightens resulting in stress on the canal walls and unpleasant feeling. Subsequently, patients stop their bruxing habit. The aim of this study is to provide first clinical evidence that in-ear devices have a positive impact on relieving bruxism in patients. Despite the low number of patients, this early study was designed as a controlled prospective study. The trial included seven female patients with a median age of 47.3 years (23-64 years). Only two patients implemented their devices for eight and seven months, respectively. One patient reported a relief in her symptoms, like headaches and pain intensity during the night, by 50% after three month and 80% after six months. Despite the limited number of participants, the study reflects a potential of Intra-aural devices as effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism.

Auriculotherapy for sleep bruxism in children: a series of cases

Sleep bruxism is defined as a behavior that causes masticatory muscle activities during sleep. Sleep bruxism in childhood leads to consequences, which may vary from teeth wear in deciduous dentition to temporomandibular disfunction symptoms. There's no data that demonstrates improvement of children with sleep bruxism during and after auricular acupuncture treatment. Objective: Therefore, this case report series aimed to evaluate the effect of auriculotherapy on children presenting sleep bruxism. Methods: Twelve patients were included in this study, in the mean age of 6,9. The diagnosis was evaluated by the question: "Does your kid grind their teeth while sleeping?". Treatment was performed by an acupuncture specialist in a standardized way. The therapy was given for three weeks and the effect was evaluated through a sleep diary, in which the parents noted whether or not their child grinded teeth while sleeping before (baseline) and during therapy (T1 to T3). Sleep bruxism was categorized as presence or absence of nocturnal teeth grinding and the frequency varied from 0 to 7 (baseline), 0 to 5 (T1), 0 to 7 (T2) and 0 to 4 (T3) between patients. The intensity of the reported sleep bruxism was compared according to the periods by pared T-test ( =0.05). Results: It was observed that the frequency of reports decreased significantly from baseline to T3. Conclusion: These results suggest that ear acupuncture may be an alternative therapy for sleep bruxism in childhood, once it demonstrated to reduce its frequency in this study, although patients may present different effects to therapy due to biological variability.

Introdução: Bruxismo do sono é definido como um comportamento que causa atividades musculares durante o sono. Na infância, leva a consequências que podem variar de desgaste dentário na dentição decídua a sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular. Não há estudos que demonstrem melhora de casos de crianças com bruxismo do sono durante e após tratamento com auriculoterapia. Objetivo: portanto, esta série de casos visou avaliar o efeito da auriculoterapia em crianças apresentando este quadro. Métodos: Doze pacientes foram inclusos neste estudo, com a media de idade de 6,9. O diagnóstico foi avaliado pela pergunta "Seu filho range os dentes quando dorme?". O tratamento foi executado por um especialista em acupuntura de forma padronizada. A terapia foi feita por três semanas e o efeito foi avaliado através de um diário do sono, no qual os pais anotavam se a criança rangeu os dentes enquanto dormia antes (baseline) e durante a terapia (T1 a T3). Bruxismo do sono foi categorizado como presença ou ausência de ranger de dentes e a frequência variou de 0 a 7 (baseline), 0 a 5 (T1), 0 a 7 (T2) e 0 a 4 (T3) entre os pacientes. A intensidade foi comparada de acordo com os períodos pelo teste-T pareado (=0,05). Resultados: Foi observado que a frequência de relatos diminuiu significativamente de baseline a T3. Conclusão: Estes resultados sugerem que auriculoterapia pode ser uma terapia alternativa para o bruxismo do sono na infância, uma vez que demonstrou reduzir sua frequência neste estudo, embora os pacientes possam apresentar efeitos diferentes devido à variabilidade biológica.

Music Modulates Awake Bruxism in Chronic Painful Temporomandibular Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: In this experimental study, we aimed to determine whether guided music listening (GML) - a music intervention based on models of mood mediation and attention modulation - modulates masticatory muscle activity and awake bruxism in subjects with chronic painful muscular temporomandibular disorders (TMD myalgia, mTMD), a condition causing a significant burden to patients, their families, and healthcare systems. BACKGROUND: Awake bruxism - a stress behavior characterized by clenching of the teeth - is a strong contributor to chronic mTMD. GML modulates psychological stress and motor responses and could thus reduce muscle activity in chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including mTMD. METHODS: We recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity in the right masseter of 14 women with chronic (>6 months) mTMD (median [IQR] = 39.5.3 [24.3] years) and 15 pain-free women (median [IQR] = 30.0 [3.5] years) during a GML session, including 3 music (stressful, relaxing, and participants' favorite music) and a no-music (pink noise) control blocks, each lasting 15 minutes. We measured the motor effort of the right masseter relative to the participants' maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the muscular effort to maintain mandibular posture (EMGposture ), and to produce spontaneous awake bruxism episodes (EMGbruxism ), and the duration and frequency of spontaneous awake bruxism episodes. We tested between-group and within-group (between blocks) differences, as well as the effect of the interaction group by experimental block on these outcome measures. RESULTS: In both groups, EMGposture was significantly affected by the interaction group by experimental block (P < .001). Compared to pink noise [mean (95% CI); mTMD: 2.2 (1.6-2.8) %MVC; Controls: 1.1 (0.5-1.7) %MVC], EMGposture increased during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI); mTMD: +0.8 (0.7-0.8) %MVC; Controls: +0.3 (0.3-0.4) %MVC; both P < .001], and decreased during the relaxing [mTMD: -0.4 (-0.5 to -0.4) %MVC; Controls: -0.3 (-0.4 to -0.3) %MVC; both P < .001] and favorite [mTMD: -0.5 (-0.6 to -0.5) %MVC; Controls: -0.5 (-0.5 to -0.4) %MVC; both P < .001] music blocks. EMGposture was greater in mTMD individuals than controls during the favorite music [contrast estimate (95% CI): +1.1 (0.2-1.9) %MVC; P = .019] and the pink noise [+1.1 (0.2-2.0) %MVC; P = .014] blocks. EMGbruxism was significantly affected by the interaction group by experimental block (P < .001). In mTMD participants, compared to the pink noise block [mean (95% CI); 23.8 (16.0-31.6) %MVC], EMGbruxism increased during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI); +10.2 (8.6-11.8) %MVC], and decreased during the relaxing [-6.2 (-8.1 to -4.3) %MVC; P < .001] and favorite [-10.2 (-12.2 to -9.1) %MVC; P < .001] music blocks. These effects were not observed in the control group [mean (95% CI); pink noise: 19.3 (10.9-27.6); stressful: 21.2 (12.9-29.4) %MVC; relaxing: 21.6 (13.3-29.9) %MVC; favorite: 24.2 (15.8-32.7) %MVC; all P > .05]. EMGbruxism was significantly greater in mTMD participants than controls during the stressful music block [contrast estimate (95% CI): +12.9 (1.6-24.2) %MVC; P = .026). GML did not affect the duration or the frequency of awake bruxism in either group (median [IQR], mTMD: 23.5 [96.7] s, range 1-1300 seconds; Controls: 5.5 [22.5], range 0-246 seconds; P = .108). The frequency of awake bruxism episodes was greater in the mTMD group compared to controls only during the pink noise block (median [IQR], mTMD: 5 [15.3] episodes, range 0-62 episodes; Controls: 1 [3] episode, range 0-27 episodes; P = .046). No significant between-group differences were found in either the overall time spent engaging in awake bruxism (median [IQR], mTMD: 23.5 [96.7] s, range 1-1300 seconds; Controls: 5.5 [22.5], range 0-246 seconds; P = .108), or during each block (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with chronic mTMD, relaxing music and the individual's favorite music decreased the muscular effort during spontaneous awake bruxism episodes by 26% and 44% (relative changes), respectively. In contrast, stressful music increases it by about 43%. Because of its positive effects on awake bruxism, GML with selected music could be a promising and non-invasive component of a multimodal approach for the management of chronic mTMD.

A new biofeedback approach for the control of awake bruxism and chronic migraine headache: utilization of an awake posterior interocclusal device / Uma nova abordagem via biofeedback para o controle do bruxismo de vigília e de enxaqueca crônica: utilização de um dispositivo interoclusal posterior em vigília

ABSTRACT Background: The relationship of bidirectional comorbidity between chronic migraine and pain in the cephalic segment led us to evaluate the improvement in reducing the pain in patients diagnosed with chronic migraine headache and awake bruxism, when undergoing treatment with a partial posterior interocclusal device designed for the management and control of awake bruxism through biofeedback. Methods: Seventy-four patients were evaluated during the following periods: pretreatment, seven, thirty, ninety, one hundred and eighty days, and one year. The evaluation was carried out by measuring the pain in the pretreatment period and pain reduction after awake bruxism treatment, using clinical evaluation and numerical scales for pain. Results: Most of the patients who complained of headache migraine pain, masticatory myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint and neck pain experienced a significant reduction in overall pain, including headaches, between t0 and t30 (p<0.0001). After 30 days of using the device, it was observed that the improvement remained at the same level without any recurrence of pain up to t90. At t180 and t360, it was observed that even with the device withdrawal (at t90) the improvement remained at the same level. Conclusion: The utilization of a posterior interocclusal device designed for the management and control of awake bruxism through biofeedback seems to contribute to the reduction of pain (including migraine headache) in the majority of patients, and, even with the device withdrawal (at t90), the improvement remained at the same level, suggesting the patients succeeded in controlling their awake bruxism and consequently the pains.

RESUMO Introdução: A relação de comorbidade bidirecional entre enxaqueca crônica e dor no segmento cefálico nos levou a avaliar a melhora na redução da dor em pacientes diagnosticados com cefaleia crônica de enxaqueca e bruxismo de vigília, quando submetidos a tratamento com dispositivo interoclusal posterior parcial projetado para o manejo e o controle do bruxismo acordado através de biorretroalimentação (biofeedback). Métodos: Setenta e quatro pacientes foram avaliados durante os seguintes períodos: pré-tratamento, sete, trinta, noventa e cento e oitenta dias, e um ano. A avaliação foi realizada por meio da avaliação da dor no período pré-tratamento e redução da dor após o tratamento do bruxismo de vigília, através de avaliação clínica e escalas numéricas de dor. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes que se queixou de dor de cabeça com enxaqueca, dor miofascial mastigatória, articulação temporomandibular e dor no pescoço sofreu uma redução significativa na dor geral, incluindo dores de cabeça, entre t0 e t30 (p<0,0001). Após 30 dias de uso do dispositivo, observou-se que a melhora permaneceu no mesmo nível, sem recorrência da dor até t90. Em t180 e t360, observou-se que, mesmo com a retirada do dispositivo (em t90), a melhoria permaneceu no mesmo nível. Conclusão: A utilização de um dispositivo interoclusal posterior projetado para o controle do bruxismo de vigília através de biofeedback parece contribuir para a redução da dor (incluindo enxaqueca) na maioria dos pacientes, e, mesmo com a retirada do dispositivo (t90), a melhora manteve-se no mesmo nível, sugerindo que os pacientes conseguiram controlar o seu bruxismo de vigília e a dor associada a esse hábito.

Effect of treatment with a full-occlusion biofeedback splint on sleep bruxism and TMD pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to analyze treatment outcome with a full-occlusion biofeedback (BFB) splint on sleep bruxism (SB) and TMD pain compared with treatment with an adjusted occlusal splint (AOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients were randomly allocated to a test (BFB) or a control (AOS) group and monitored over a 3-month period. Output variables were frequency and duration of bruxing events (bursts) and various pain symptoms. RESULTS: The BFB group showed a statistically significant reduction in the frequency and duration of bursts and a statistically significant improvement in the patients' global well-being and the facial muscle pain parameter. After the treatment was stopped, the BFB group showed a statistically significant reduction in the average and maximum duration but no statistically significant change in the frequency of bursts. CONCLUSIONS: The tested BFB splint is highly effective in reducing SB at the subconscious level, i.e., without waking the patient, and in achieving improvements in global pain perception. The results suggest that the BFB splint also provides a better treatment option for bruxism-related pain than an AOS. However, further research is needed, and specifically studies with a larger patient population displaying higher levels of pain at baseline. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: By reducing burst duration and therefore the pathological load on the masticatory apparatus, the BFB splint reduces TMD and bruxism-related symptoms and improves patients' physical well-being. In the long term, this could prevent damage to the TMJ. This study confirms the effectiveness and safety of this splint. THE UNIVERSAL TRIAL NUMBER: U1111-1239-2450 DRKS-ID REGISTRATION: DRKS00018092.