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Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Different Acupuncture Methods for TMD-Related Pain
source:NCBI 2022-01-10 [Research]
A Randomized Clinical Study

Emanuela SerritellaGabriella GalluccioAlessandra ImpellizzeriPaola Di Giacomo, and Carlo Di Paolo

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Emanuela Serritella: ti.1amorinu@alletirres.aleuname

Academic Editor: Jianliang Zhang

 

 

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of three acupuncture methods for temporomandibular disorders- (TMDs-) related pain.

Materials and Methods

Different locations of pain, according to DC/TMD clinical assessment, were considered: temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, head, and neck. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups (20 patients in each): group BA received body acupuncture, group EA received electroacupuncture, and group CA received acupuncture + cupping. The groups were compared in terms of pain (verbal numeric scale), pain-related disability (Brief Inventory Pain, BPI), and impression of the treatment's effectiveness (Patients' Global Impression of Improvement Scale, PGI-I). These were recorded before sessions of acupuncture treatment (T0), after 8 sessions of acupuncture treatment (T1), and after 4 weeks of follow-up after treatment (T2). The between-group and within-group differences in the data were analyzed statistically. The baseline characteristics were similar in all groups (p > 0.05).

Results

Significant improvements were noted in all types of pain compared to baseline values in all groups (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in the improvement of TMDs-related pain according to the different acupuncture techniques (all p > 0.05). All acupuncture methods used resulted to be significantly effective in improving the pain-related interference in the patient's common activities and quality of life. EA resulted to be significantly more effective than BA and CA in improving the interference of pain with patients' mood (p=0.015) and quality of sleep (p=0.014).

Conclusion

BA, EA, and CA are all effective acupuncture methods in reducing pain and pain interference with common activities and quality of life in patients affected by TMD.