Immediate and short-term effects of phototherapy on pain, muscle activity, and joint mobility in women with temporomandibular disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immediate and short-term effects of phototherapy on pain intensity, the pressure pain threshold (PPT), maximum vertical mandibular movement, and the electrical activity of the masseter and temporal muscles in women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS: Sixty women were randomly allocated to four different groups and submitted to phototherapy with a combination of super-pulsed laser (905 nm), red (640 nm), and infrared (875 nm) light emitting diodes in the same equipment on the masseter (three points) and temporal (two points) muscles bilaterally in a single session. The following doses were used in each point of application: Group 1 - 2.62 J; Group 2 - 5.24 J; Group 3 - 7.86 J; placebo group. Pain intensity was determined using the visual analog scale. The PPT was analyzed using a digital algometer. Vertical mandibular movement was measured using digital calipers. Myoelectrical activity of the masseter and temporal muscles was measured using electromyography. Four evaluations were performed: pre-intervention, immediately after, 24 and 48 hours after phototherapy. OUTCOMES: A significant reduction in pain intensity during the post-treatment evaluations in comparison to the pretreatment evaluation was observed in group 1 (Median difference = 2.60 [95% CI = 1.35-3.85]) and group 2 (Median difference = 2.2 [95% CI = 0.98-3.42]) especially after 48 hours and group 3 (Median difference = 2.50 [95% CI: 0.56-4.46]) especially after 24 hours, with a moderate effect size, but no effect was found regarding the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: A single session of combined phototherapy was capable of reducing pain intensity in individuals patients with TMD. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02018770). Implications for Rehabilitation Phototherapy device combining two light sources (LED and laser), and different densities in the same device is a novelty in the rehabilitation market, and has proved to be a useful intervention for people with temporomandibular disorders. This mode of phototherapy is another option that assists in the rapid intervention in pain symptoms, promoting a considerable degree of comfort to the patient moments after its application.

Effects of massage therapy and occlusal splint therapy on electromyographic activity and the intensity of signs and symptoms in individuals with temporomandibular disorder and sleep bruxism: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular disorder (TDM) is the most common source of orofacial pain of a non-dental origin. Sleep bruxism is characterized by clenching and/or grinding the teeth during sleep and is involved in the perpetuation of TMD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of massage therapy, conventional occlusal splint therapy and silicone occlusal splint therapy on electromyographic activity in the masseter and anterior temporal muscles and the intensity of signs and symptoms in individuals with severe TMD and sleep bruxism. METHODS: Sixty individuals with severe TMD and sleep bruxism were randomly distributed into four treatment groups: 1) massage group, 2) conventional occlusal splint group, 3) massage + conventional occlusal splint group and 4) silicone occlusal splint group. Block randomization was employed and sealed opaque envelopes were used to conceal the allocation. Groups 2, 3 and 4 wore an occlusal splint for four weeks. Groups 1 and 3 received three weekly massage sessions for four weeks. All groups were evaluated before and after treatment through electromyographic analysis of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles and the Fonseca Patient History Index. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the effects of the different treatments and repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine the intensity of TMD. RESULTS: The inter-group analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences in median frequency among the groups prior to treatment. In the intra-group analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations in any of the groups. Group 3 demonstrated a greater improvement in the intensity of TMD in comparison to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Massage therapy and the use of an occlusal splint had no significant influence on electromyographic activity of the masseter or anterior temporal muscles. However, the combination of therapies led to a reduction in the intensity of signs and symptoms among individuals with severe TMD and sleep bruxism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered in August, 2014 in the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01874041).

Effects of phototherapy on muscle activity and pain in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), the term temporomandibular disorder (TMD) regards a subgroup of orofacial pain, the symptoms of which include pain or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint, ears, masticatory muscles and neck on one or both sides, as well as joint sounds, limited mandibular movements or mandibular deviation and difficulties chewing. Phototherapy, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light-emitting diode (LED) therapy, is one of the resources used to treatment muscle pain. Thus, there is a need to investigate therapeutic resources that combine different wavelengths as well as different light sources (LLLT and LED) in the same apparatus. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the effects of four different doses of phototherapy on pain, activity of the masticatory muscles (masseter and bilateral anterior temporal) and joint mobility in individuals with temporomandibular disorder. A further aim is to determine the cumulative effect 24 and 48 hours after a single session. METHODS/DESIGN: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial will be carried out involving 72 women between 18 and 40 years of age with a diagnosis of myogenous TMD. The participants will then be randomly allocated to four groups totaling 18 individuals per group. Three groups will be submitted to a single session of phototherapy with different light sources, and one group will receive placebo therapy: Group A (2.62 Joules); Group B (5.24 Joules); Group C (7.86 Joules); and Group D (0 Joules). The following assessment tools will be administered on four separate occasions (baseline and immediately after, 24 h after and 48 h after phototherapy). Pain intensity will be assessed using the visual analog scale for pain, while pain thresholds will be determined using algometer, and electromyographic (EMG) analysis on the masseter and anterior temporal muscles. DISCUSSION: The study will contribute to the practice of the evidence-based use of phototherapy in individuals with a myogenous TMD. Data will be published after the study is completed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, NCT02018770, date of registration: 7 December 2013.

Evaluation of pain threshold upon palpation of the masticatory muscles in women with temporomandibular disorder according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders / Avaliação do limiar de dor a palpação dos músculos mastigatórios em mulheres com disfunção temporomandibular de acordo com o Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders

ABSTRACT Purpose: to evaluate the pain threshold upon palpation of the masticatory muscles in women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted involving the evaluation of pain threshold upon palpation of the extraoral muscles (temporal, masseter, posterior mandibular region, submandibular region) and intraoral muscles (lateral pterygoid area and temporal tendon) in women using the RDC/TMD clinical examination. Results: 60 women were evaluated. Statistically significant differences were found among the muscles evaluated regarding the pain threshold. The lateral pterygoid area, bilaterally, had the lowest pain threshold, followed by the masseter and temporal muscles. Conclusion: this study suggests that the lateral pterygoid muscle, bilaterally, has the lowest pain threshold upon palpation among the masticatory muscles, followed by masseter and temporal muscles, in women with TMD, according to the RDC/TMD evaluation.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o limiar de dor a palpação dos músculos mastigatórios em mulheres com Disfunção Temporomandibular de acordo com o questionário do Research Diagnostic Criteria of Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Métodos: realizou-se um estudo transversal utilizando a avaliação do limiar de dor a palpação dos músculos mastigatórios extraorais (temporal, masseter, região mandibular posterior, região submandibular) e intraorais (área do pterigoideo lateral e tendão do temporal), em mulheres, segundo o exame clínico do RDC/TMD. Resultados: foram avaliadas 60 mulheres, foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante para o limiar de dor a palpação entre os músculos avaliados segundo o RDC/TMD. Com destaque para a área do pterigoideo lateral, bilateralmente, seguido pelos músculos masseter e temporal. Conclusão: esse estudo sugere que a área do músculo pterigoideo lateral, bilateralmente, apresenta menor limiar de dor a palpação entre os músculos mastigatórios, seguido pelos músculos masseter e temporal segundo RDC/TMD.

Effect of mandibular mobilization on electromyographic signals in muscles of mastication and static balance in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The stomatognathic system and dysfunction in this system may be related to postural control. The proposal of the present study is to assess the effect of mandibular mobilization in individuals with temporomandibular disorder using surface electromyography of the muscles of mastication and stabilometric variables. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, blind, clinical trial will be carried out, with the participants divided into three groups: 1) facial massage therapy (control group), 2) nonspecific mandibular mobilization and 3) specific mandibular mobilization. All groups will be assessed before and after treatment using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, surface electromyography of the masseter and temporal muscles and stabilometry. This study is registered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR9x8ssz). DISCUSSION: A large number of studies have employed surface electromyography to investigate the function/dysfunction of the muscles of mastication and associations with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. However, it has not yet been determined whether stabilometric variables offer adequate reliability in patients with this disorder. The results of the proposed study will help determine whether specific and/or nonspecific mandibular mobilization exerts an effect on the muscles of mastication and postural control. Moreover, if an effect is detected, the methodology defined in the proposed study will allow identifying whether the effect is local (found only in the muscles of mastication), global (found only in postural control) or generalized.

Systematic review of the measurement properties of instruments utilized to diagnose Temporomandibular Disorders according to the COSMIN checklist

Introduction: Most of the instruments used in Brazil to diagnose Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) were developed in another Language. To effectively use instruments that were created in another language, it must be translated into the relevant target language before cross-cultural adaptation. Clinimetric tests should also be performed. Measurement properties consist of quality criteria related to evaluation instruments. These criteria are necessary to determine the quality of the instruments used in Brazil. Objectives: The aim of the present systematic review was to assess the quality of the measurement properties of instruments utilized to diagnose TMD. Methods: Systematic searches were performed of the PUBMED, SCIELO, LILACS and SCIENCE DIRECT databases. Studies addressing questionnaires translated and cross-culturally adapted for use in Brazil were retrieved and the quality of the measurement properties was analyzed using the COSMIN checklist. Results: In the 11 eligible articles, 10 instruments were identified. The studies were evaluated based on their analysis of structural validity, internal consistency, reproducibility (concordance and reliability), responsiveness, ceiling effect and floor effect. None the assessment tools had all its measurement properties tested. Conclusion: The measurement properties of the instruments were not completely tested. Thus, care must be taken when interpreting the scores of these questionnaires (AU).

Efeitos do hiperboloide masticator apparatus na desordem temporomandibular ­ estudo de caso / Effects of hyperboloid masticator apparatus in temporomandibular disorder ­ case study

Introdução: A disfunção temporomandibular caracteriza-se por um conjunto de alterações clínicas envolvendo os músculos mastigatórios, a articulação temporomandibular e outras estruturas associadas. Objetivo: A estimulação proprioceptiva condicionada pelo uso do hiperboloide diminui o quadro álgico e aumenta a amplitude do movimento mandibular. Métodos: Apresentamos o caso de uma jovem de 22 anos com diagnostico de Disfunção temporomandibular, que recebeu o tratamento fisioterapêutico utilizando hiperboloide mastigador apparatus 3 vezes por semana durante 8 semanas sendo realizadas duas avaliações específicas: extensão vertical do movimento mandibular e mensuração do limiar de dor por pressão sobre o músculo masseter, pré atendimento, pós imediato e pós tratamento. Resultados: Observou-se aumento expressivo na abertura mandibular e no aumento de limiar de dor. Conclusão: O uso do hiperboloide levou a um aumento mobilidade mandibular e diminuição de dores nos músculos masseteres e consequente melhora na mastigação.

Introduction: temporomandibular dysfunction is characterized by a set of clinical changes involving the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint and other associated structures. Goal: proprioceptive stimulation conditioned by the use of the hyperboloid influences on pain and mandibular movement pattern. Methods: we present the case of a young man of 22 years with diagnosis of temporomandibular joint Dysfunction, which received physiotherapy treatment using hyperboloid Cruncher apparatus 3 times per week for 8 weeks being held two specific reviews: vertical extension of the mandibular movement and measurement of pressure pain threshold on the masseter muscle, pre care, immediate post and post treatment. Results: it was observed significant increase in mandibular opening and increased pain threshold. Conclusion: the use of hyperboloid has led to an increase in mandibular mobility and decrease of myalgia masseteres and consequent improvement in chewing.