An Evidence-Based Treatment of Myofascial Pain and Myofascial Trigger Points in the Maxillofacial Area: A Narrative Review.

Myofascial pain (MFP) is characterized by localized pain in the maxillofacial region attributed to the presence of hypersensitive spots known as trigger points (TrPs). This condition is particularly prevalent in the maxillofacial area, warranting a comprehensive examination of evidence-based management techniques. This review aims to equip healthcare professionals with a more profound insight into evidence-based MFP management techniques, facilitating improved patient care and treatment outcomes. In this review, we conducted a thorough literature search using Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), and MEDLINE, with the keywords "Myofascial pain syndrome," "Pain," and "Orofacial pain." Articles were selected based on their relevance to the study's objective. Pharmacological interventions, such as analgesics and muscle relaxants, are frequently prescribed. Additionally, a range of non-pharmacological modalities, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound therapy, topical applications, dry needling, TrP injections, oral myofunctional therapy, and stretching exercises, have demonstrated efficacy in MFP management. The authors hope to give clinicians a more thorough understanding of the therapies for MFP by conducting a rigorous evidence-based evaluation of pharmacologic and non-pharmacological treatments. Our findings support the use of a combined approach that integrates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for the holistic management of TrPs.

Rehabilitation Professional and Patient Satisfaction with Telerehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Telerehabilitation offers an alternative healthcare delivery remotely in a patient's environment at a lower cost, better accessibility, and equivalent quality to the standard approach. Several studies had examined the effectiveness of telerehabilitation inpatients with musculoskeletal disorders, and although there is evidence that it is at least equally effective as the standard care, the patient and rehabilitation professional satisfaction with the delivery method is not conclusive. A systematic review was conducted to study the patients' and rehabilitation professionals' satisfaction with telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders. A search for relevant studies on 29 April 2021 was carried out in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS). The search terms included "telerehabilitation," AND "satisfaction" AND "musculoskeletal disorders," "telehealth," "telemedicine," "patient experience," and "pain". Fifteen eligible studies with 12,341 patients were included in this systematic review. A report was included if it (a) assessed the satisfaction of patients or professionals or both as one of the outcomes of a telerehabilitation intervention, (b) included adults 18 years and above with musculoskeletal disorders, and (c) is an intervention study using a quantitative approach. The quality of studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklist tool developed by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Most of the studies reported that patients were satisfied with both telerehabilitation and face-to-face intervention. However, few studies reported that patients were more satisfied with telerehabilitation compared to face-to-face of intervention. Patients in one study had preferred the incorporation of telerehabilitation and face-to-face sessions. Two of three studies had reported overall satisfaction with telerehabilitation by the professionals. Overall, there is evidence that patients and rehabilitation professional are satisfied with telerehabilitation compared to face-to-face consultation.

Prevalence of dental caries in Pakistan: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Optimum oral health is impossible to achieve without managing dental caries. The first step to manage dental caries at a community level is to know its prevalence and trend. Unfortunately, the prevalence of dental caries at the national/regional level is not known in many developing countries. Pakistan is no exception. The present meta-analysis was planned to document the prevalence of dental caries at the national, as well as regional level. This paper will serve as a baseline for making future health policies, and health promotion activities in the country. METHODS: Literature was searched through various databases, such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science using: "Prevalence", "Dental Caries", "Dental Decay" and "Severity" as keywords. Any study that reported the prevalence of dental caries, and was conducted in the Pakistani population was included. Thirty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of all the included studies was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for prevalence studies. MedCalc software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: In total 27,878 subjects were included in a meta-analysis from 30 studies. The prevalence estimate of dental caries at the national level was 56.62% (95% CI: 49.54 to 63.57). The I2 value was 99.07% (95% CI: 98.94 to 99.18), (I2 > 75%) indicating heterogeneity, hence pooled proportion was reported using a random-effect model. The prevalence estimate of dental caries in Sindh was 58.946% (95% CI: 43.796 to 73.274), and in Punjab, it was 55.445% (95% CI: 44.174 to 66.44), whilst in Baluchistan and KPK combined was 51.168% (95% CI: 22.930 to 79.004). CONCLUSION: Based on the existing data nearly 60% of the Pakistani population have dental caries. The proportion is almost the same in all provinces. Most of the included studies were found to be of high risk.