Efficacy of dry needling in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders related to the masseter muscle

Synthesis of temporomandibular disorders management intervention outcomes for development of core outcome sets: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The selection of appropriate outcomes in clinical trials and systematic reviews is a crucial factor in determining the results that are useful, reliable, and relevant for both patients and healthcare professionals. Clinicians and researchers have been encouraged to develop and apply core outcome sets (COS) to minimise the discrepancy between studies.

AIM

This systematic review is the first phase of the COS development project for clinical trials in temporomandibular disorders (COS-TMD). It aims to identify and synthesise the outcomes used in the randomised controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the effectiveness of interventions used in TMD management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic search was performed in several databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and EMBASE. The eligibility criteria comprised RCT that applied any intervention to treat temporomandibular joint disorders or masticatory muscle disorders. The identified outcomes were categorised according to domains of the Initiative on Methods, Measurement and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT).

RESULTS

The electronic search resulted in 1606 studies. After removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria, 106 RCT were included. A total of 43 studies evaluated masticatory muscle disorders, 27 evaluated temporomandibular joint disorders, and 36 analysed mixed TMD.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation showed significant variability in the types of outcomes and their measurement instruments. In addition, some domains such as physical and emotional functioning, participant ratings of global improvement and adverse events have been neglected when determining the effectiveness of treatments for TMD.

Analysis of the Use of Sample Size and Effect Size Calculations in a Temporomandibular Disorders Randomised Controlled Trial-Short Narrative Review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the term used to describe a pathology (dysfunction and pain) in the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). There is an apparent upward trend in the publication of dental research and a need to continually improve the quality of research. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyse the use of sample size and effect size calculations in a TMD randomised controlled trial.

METHODS

The period was restricted to the full 5 years, i.e., papers published in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The filter article type-"Randomized Controlled Trial" was used. The studies were graded on a two-level scale: 0-1. In the case of 1, sample size (SS) and effect size (ES) were calculated.

RESULTS

In the entire study sample, SS was used in 58% of studies, while ES was used in 15% of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality should improve as research increases. One factor that influences quality is the level of statistics. SS and ES calculations provide a basis for understanding the results obtained by the authors. Access to formulas, online calculators and software facilitates these analyses. High-quality trials provide a solid foundation for medical progress, fostering the development of personalized therapies that provide more precise and effective treatment and increase patients' chances of recovery. Improving the quality of TMD research, and medical research in general, helps to increase public confidence in medical advances and raises the standard of patient care.

Influence of botulinum toxin A in pain perception and condyle-fossa relationship after the management of temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the pain perception (PP) and condyle-fossa relationship (CFR) after botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) injection in the masseter muscles of painful muscular temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen women (aged 29.7 ± 5.4 years) diagnosed with myogenic TMD were randomized in the BoNTA-treated group (TG) and control group (CG). TG masseter muscles (n = 7) were bilaterally injected with 30 U. The CG (n = 7) were injected with saline injections. Condyle-fossa relationship (CFR) spaces were measured in sagittal (SP) and frontal planes (FP) of images of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) done before (T0) and after 30 days' interventions (T1). Visual analogue scale (VAS) measured the patients' TMD pain perception (PP). Data were compared by generalized linear models considering the results over time (α = .05).

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences in CFR in the SP or FP for TG and CG over time (p ˃ .05), except for frontal lateral space CFR (p < .05). In both groups, the condyle was positioned medially after interventions. Frontal lateral space increased in TG for both, left and right sides, over time (p < .05), as well as PP decreased over time (p < .05) for TG and CG.

CONCLUSIONS

The results depicted that there was no significant association with BoNTA injection in TMD masseter muscles in PP and CFR, except considering the frontal lateral space of CFR.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

BoNTA injection in the masseter muscles may not promote clinically significant shifts in the condyle-fossa relationships of muscular TMD patients.

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.

Neural correlates of central pain sensitization in chronic low back pain: a resting-state fMRI study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to explore the neural correlates of pain sensitization in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP). While the association between cLBP and pain sensitization has been widely reported, the underlying brain mechanism responsible for this relationship requires further investigation.

METHODS

Our study included 56 cLBP patients and 56 healthy controls (HC). Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained, and the voxel-wise amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was calculated to identify brain alterations in cLBP patients compared to HC groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to explore the association between clinical data and brain alterations. Furthermore, mediation analyses were performed to investigate the path association between brain alterations and pain-related behaviors.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that patients with cLBP exhibited higher sensitivity, attention, and catastrophizing tendencies towards pain compared to HC. Furthermore, cLBP patients displayed significantly higher ALFF in various brain regions within the "pain matrix" and the default mode network when compared to HC. The altered precuneus ALFF was positively correlated with pain intensity (R = 0.51, P<0.001) and was negatively correlated with pain sensitivity (R = -0.43, P<0.001) in cLBP patients. Importantly, the effect of altered precuneus ALFF on pain intensity was mediated by pain threshold in these patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that altered neural activity in the precuneus may contribute to pain hypersensitivity, which further exacerbating pain in cLBP patients.

Effect of physiotherapeutic procedures on the bioelectric activity of the masseter muscle and the range of motion of the temporomandibular joints in the female population with chronic pain: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Physical therapy (PT) methods applied in dentistry are increasingly discussed nowadays. Taking into account a rapidly growing number of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and orofacial pain patients, it is reasonable to determine which of the available physiotherapeutic (PT) methods are more effective than others, especially in terms of their possible analgesic and myorelaxant effects.

OBJECTIVE

To assess manual and physical factors influencing pain reduction or elimination and increased muscle tension in patients with TMD; yet the influence of the applied forms of PT on the range of motion (ROM) of temporomandibular joints (TMJ).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized, parallel-group, RCT, single-blind, equi-randomized (1:1) study was conducted in DC/TMD Group Ib patients (20-45 years of age). An experimental group (G1, n = 104) and a control group without TMD (G2, n = 104) were created according to CONSORT guidelines. Diagnostic measurements were performed in both groups (mass sEMG, temporomandibular joint range of motion-ROM, pain intensity - NRS). Group G1 was randomly divided (envelope method) into 4 therapeutic groups, in which therapy was carried out for 10 days: magnetostimulation (MS), magnetoledotherapy (MLE), magnetolaserotherapy (MLA), manual therapy (MT). Each time after the therapy, ROM and NRS measurements were performed, and after the 5th and 10th day sEMG.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were found in the sEMG values of the masseter muscles, TMJ ROM and the pain intensity in G1 and G2 (p < 0.00). The largest decrease in sEMG (% MVC) of the masseter muscle occurred in the subgroup in which the manual therapy (MT) procedures were applied, p < 0.000. There was no clinically significant difference in and between other subgroups. There was a distinct mandible ROM increase noted in the MT group, with minimal changes in the MLA and MLE groups and no changes in the MS group. There was a clear increase in the lateral mobility of both right and left TMJ in the MT group. There were no differences in the course of the study in the MS group, and slight increases in the MLA and MLE groups. In the case of pain measurements, the greatest decrease in pain intensity was observed in the MT subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results manual therapy is an effective form of treatment in patients with pain, increased masticatory muscle tension and limitation in mandible ROM. Dental physiotherapy should become an integral part of multimodal TMD patients' treatment.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Manual Therapy in Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Dry needling (DN) is an invasive physiotherapy technique employed for reducing myofascial pain. To compare the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) versus manual therapy (MT) in improving pain, active maximal mouth opening (AMMO) and cervical disability in patients with myofascial pain from temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were investigated against these treatments. A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out. Individuals (n = 50) with TMDs were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the DN (n = 25) or MT group (n = 25). Each group received three sessions, separated by 4 days, of either DN or MT. Outcomes were assessed according to pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), AMMO (cm), disability (Neck Disability Index), and pressure-pain threshold (PPT) (digital algometry) from the active myofascial trigger points. In both groups, pain and neck disability were significantly lower at the end of treatment compared with those measured at baseline (pain: -2.52 with 95% CI: -3.43 to -1.60 for DN group; pain: -2.92 with 95% CI: -3.77 to -2.07 for MT group; disability: -3.2 with 95% CI: -4.31 to -2.09 for DN group; disability: -2.68 with 95% CI: -3.56 to -1.79 for MT group), but not were not lower after the first session, without differences between the groups. AMMO was significantly higher after the first session (0.16 with 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.29 for DN group; 0.30 with 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.41 for MT group) and at the end of treatment in both groups (0.27 with 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.41 for DN group; 0.37 with 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.52 for MT group) compared with the baseline measurements. Finally, PPT results for the masseter and pterygoid muscles were significantly higher at the end of treatment in both groups (without statistically significant differences between groups), but not after the first session. The assessed therapies, DN and MT, are equally effective in improving pain, AMMO, cervical disability, and PPT in the muscles directly involved in the temporomandibular joint biomechanics of patients with myofascial TMDs.

Deficits in the thalamocortical pathway associated with hypersensitivity to pain in patients with frozen shoulder

Background and purpose

Frozen shoulder (FS) is a chronic pain condition and has been shown to be associated with pain sensitization. However, the underyling brain mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to explore brain alterations and their association with pain sensitization in patients with FS.

Materials and methods

A total of 54 FS patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Here, we applied both structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate brain abnormalities in FS patients. Voxel-wise comparisons were performed to reveal the differences in the gray matter volume (GMV) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) between FS patients and HCs. Furthermore, the region of interest (ROI) to whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) was calculated and compared between groups. Finally, Pearson's correlation coefficients were computed to reveal the association between clinical data and brain alterations.

Results

Four main findings were observed: (1) FS patients exhibited decreased thalamus GMV, which correlated with pain intensity and pain threshold; (2) relative to HCs, FS patients exhibited a higher level of ALFF within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the thalamus; (3) FS patients exhibited a significant increase in Tha-S1 FC compared to HCs; and (4) the effect of thalamus GMV on pain intensity was mediated by pain threshold in FS patients.

Conclusion

The dysfunctional thalamus might induce pain hypersensitivity, which further aggravates the pain in FS patients.

Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders at a Turning Point: Pragmatic or Evidence-Based Management?

Unvalidated theories have been proposed for the etiopathogenesis of masticatory myofascial temporomandibular disorders (mTMD). Modalities such as cone-beam computed tomography/computed tomography and MRI contributes little to the diagnosis of mTMD. Diagnosing mTMD is based on the recognition of "familiar pain" presentation in the masticatory myofascial tissue. This assessment tool contributes little our understanding of the underlying disease process. Thus, management of mTMD is empirical and arbitrary. Exploring emerging technologies to identify biomarkers and objectively assess myofascial tissue physiology in disease and health may be key in moving the diagnosis of mTMD from the pragmatic paradigm to an evidence-based paradigm.

Selected needling techniques in pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders: a narrative review

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Intramuscular Injections and Dry Needling within Masticatory Muscles in Management of Myofascial Pain. Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Background: Myofascial pain is an important cause of disability among the whole population, and it is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Its management techniques vary widely; however, in recent years, there has been a growing interest especially in needling therapies within masticatory muscles, due to their simplicity and effectiveness in pain reduction. Methods: The construction of the following study is based on PICOS and PRISMA protocols. A systematic literature search was conducted based on the PubMed and BASE search engines. Searching the abovementioned databases yielded a total of 367 articles. The screening procedure and analysis of full texts resulted in the inclusion of 28 articles for detailed analysis. Results: According to analyzed data, clinicians manage myofascial pain either with wet or dry needling therapies. The most thoroughly studied approach that prevails significantly within the clinical trials is injecting the botulinum toxin into the masseter and temporalis. Other common methods are the application of local anesthetics or dry needling; however, we notice the introduction of entirely new substances, such as platelet-rich plasma or collagen. In the analyzed articles, the target muscles for the needling therapies are most commonly localized by manual palpation although there are a variety of navigational support systems described: EMG, MRI or EIP electrotherapy equipment, which often aid the access to located deeper lateral and medial pterygoid muscle. Conclusions: Needling therapies within masticatory muscles provide satisfactory effects while being simple, safe and accessible procedures although there still is a need for high quality clinical trials investigating especially injections of non-Botox substances and needling within lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.

Anatomical Study of the Innervation of the Masseter Muscle and Its Correlation with Myofascial Trigger Points

Background and Purpose

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is widely prevalent in the general population; some reports estimate its prevalence ranges from 9 to 85%. Among the different locations where MPS may arise, pain related to the masseter muscle is referred as masticatory myofascial pain. MPS is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTPs), which represent tender anatomical areas of a muscle where painful symptoms are elicited whenever stimulated. Previous publications have found MTPs to coincide with neuromuscular junctions at the motor end plate, at the innervation zone (IZ). Our study aimed to describe the innervation of the masseter muscle and relate it to clinically described myofascial trigger points (MTPs).

Materials and Methods

We mapped the nerve fiber distribution into the masseter muscles from 16 cadavers by anatomical dissection. We divided the muscle into six regions, three superior (I–III) and three inferior (IV–VI), and classified the nerve’s branches distribution according to these predetermined areas. Statistical analyses was made by Poisson distribution and logarithm link function followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons (P<0.05).

Results

All six areas received branches from the masseteric nerve. Areas I and II (upper posterior and upper intermediate, respectively) had a significant higher number of nerve entries as compared to the remaining areas.

Conclusion

The penetration areas of the masseteric nerve have been established and MTPs are found in the innervation zones, clinicians should focus initially on the regions of the penetration points, for diagnostics and therapeutic measures, such as injections, dry needling and soft tissue interventions. Anatomical study of nerve supply to the masseter muscle can provide useful additional knowledge to further understanding masticatory myofascial pain and to direct therapeutic interventions and diagnostic studies of temporomandibular junction dysfunction.