Role of Auriculotherapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders with Anxiety in University Students

Efficacy of acupuncture on craniomandibular myofascial pain in temporomandibular disorder patients: A systematic review

Background

This systematic review aimed to answer the question, "What is the efficacy of acupuncture treatment in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) with myofascial pain?".

Data sources and study selection

This study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. The electronic search strategy was applied to the Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases. As inclusion criteria, were selected randomized clinical articles that evaluated patients with myofascial pain symptoms treated by acupuncture without the restriction of time and language.

Results

The search in the databases resulted in 286 articles, after removing the duplicates 251 were analyzed by title and abstract. Twenty were selected for full reading and 10 were included in the systematic review. The studies evaluated acupuncture treatments by puncture and laser, auriculotherapy by puncture and laser, and an occlusal device for treating myofascial TMD.

Conclusions

Comparing acupuncture with placebo acupuncture, it was observed that it is effective for subjective pain relief and palpation of orofacial structures with immediate results; it should be noted that there is still no specific protocol and that the duration of treatment must be personalized. When comparing it with the occlusal device, the associated treatment has enhanced the results. Future studies are suggested by the current literature gap that prevents the determination of clinical guidelines for effective acupuncture treatment in TMD patients with myofascial pain.

Practical implications

Laser and needle puncture acupuncture treatment and laser and needle puncture auriculotherapy have shown favorable results in short-term myofascial pain relief. The need for long-term studies to assess benefits and reduce possible biases is highlighted.

Clinical trial registry name

PROSPERO (CRD42021271505).

Surface Electromyography in Dentistry-Past, Present and Future

Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a technique for measuring and analyzing the electrical signals of muscle activity using electrodes placed on the skin's surface. The aim of this paper was to outline the history of the development and use of surface electromyography in dentistry, to show where research and technical solutions relating to surface electromyography currently lie, and to make recommendations for further research. sEMG is a diagnostic technique that has found significant application in dentistry. The historical section discusses the evolution of sEMG methods and equipment, highlighting how technological advances have influenced the accuracy and applicability of this method in dentistry. The need for standardization of musculoskeletal testing methodology is highlighted and the needed increased technical capabilities of sEMG equipment and the ability to specify parameters (e.g., sampling rates, bandwidth). A higher sampling rate (the recommended may be 2000 Hz or higher in masticatory muscles) allows more accurate recording of changes in the signal, which is essential for accurate analysis of muscle function. Bandwidth is one of the key parameters in sEMG research. Bandwidth determines the range of frequencies effectively recorded by the sEMG system (the recommended frequency limits are usually between 20 Hz and 500 Hz in masticatory muscles). In addition, the increased technical capabilities of sEMG equipment and the ability to specify electromyographic parameters demonstrate the need for a detailed description of selected parameters in the methodological section. This is necessary to maintain the reproducibility of sEMG testing. More high-quality clinical trials are needed in the future.

Quality of life and satisfaction of students with auriculotherapy in the covid-19 pandemic: a quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the quality of life before and after the application of auriculotherapy and the satisfaction of university students with the treatment during the covid-19 pandemic.

METHODS

quasi-experimental study conducted with 44 students in a University Health Center. The intervention consisted of ten sessions of auriculotherapy focusing on emotional changes with quality of life assessment before and after treatment. The study also investigated the satisfaction concerning the intervention.

RESULTS

predominated among the students: women, from health courses, in use of psychotropic drugs and complaining of emotional changes. There was a statistically significant increase in all domains of quality of life, and students were satisfied with the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

auriculotherapy improved the quality of life of university students during the covid-19 pandemic, and the level of satisfaction with the treatment was high.

Psychological Outcomes on Anxiety and Depression after Interventions for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Many studies have shown mutual interaction between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and psychological distress. However, evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for TMD on psychological outcomes is scarce. This review aimed to summarise the best evidence on the association between interventions for TMD and psychological outcomes regarding symptoms of anxiety and depression. Electronic search was carried out in databases, including Pubmed, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. All eligible studies were included for narrative synthesis. Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included for the meta-analysis. The overall effect size of interventions for TMD was analysed in standardised mean difference (SMD) in levels of anxiety and depression. Ten studies were included in the systematic review. Of these, nine were included in the narrative analysis and four were included in the meta-analysis. All included studies and the result of the narrative analysis showed a statistically significant beneficial effect of interventions for TMD on improving symptoms of anxiety and depression (p < 0.0001); however, a statistically significant overall effect was not found in the meta-analyses. Current evidence is in favour of the interventions for TMD in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, the effect is statistically uncertain and warrants future studies to enable the best synthesis of the evidence.

Qualidade de vida e satisfação de estudantes com auriculoterapia na pandemia de covid-19: estudo quase experimental

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a qualidade de vida antes e depois da aplicação da auriculoterapia e a satisfação de estudantes universitários com o tratamento durante a pandemia de covid-19. Métodos: estudo quase experimental, realizado com 44 estudantes em um centro de saúde de uma universidade. A intervenção consistiu em dez sessões de auriculoterapia, com foco nas alterações emocionais, e a avaliação da qualidade de vida ocorreu antes e depois do tratamento. A satisfação com a intervenção também foi investigada. Resultados: predominaram entre os estudantes: mulheres, de cursos da área da saúde, em uso de psicotrópicos e com queixa de alterações emocionais. Houve aumento estatisticamente significativo em todos os domínios da qualidade de vida, e os estudantes ficaram satisfeitos com o tratamento. Conclusões: a auriculoterapia foi capaz de melhorar a qualidade de vida de estudantes universitários durante a pandemia de covid-19, e o nível de satisfação com o tratamento foi alto.

Glucosinolates and Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Mustard Seeds: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Seeds from mustard (genera Brassica spp. and Sinapsis spp.), are known as a rich source of glucosinolates and omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds are widely known for their health benefits that include reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This review presented a synthesis of published literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Sci Finder, and Web of Science regarding the different glucosinolates and omega-3 fatty acids isolated from mustard seeds. We presented an overview of extraction, isolation, purification, and structure elucidation of glucosinolates from the seeds of mustard plants. Moreover, we presented a compilation of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies showing the potential health benefits of glucosinolates and omega-3 fatty acids. Previous studies showed that glucosinolates have antimicrobial, antipain, and anticancer properties while omega-3 fatty acids are useful for their pharmacologic effects against sleep disorders, anxiety, cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. Further studies are needed to investigate other naturally occurring glucosinolates and omega-3 fatty acids, improve and standardize the extraction and isolation methods from mustard seeds, and obtain more clinical evidence on the pharmacological applications of glucosinolates and omega-3 fatty acids from mustard seeds.

Auriculotherapy used to manage orthodontic pain: a randomized controlled pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Several methods are commonly used to decrease orthodontic pain, but versatile tools and standardized protocols are still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

In response to the need for alternatives to conventional analgesic methods, this study evaluates the analgesic effects of auriculotherapy (AT) during the first three months of fixed orthodontic treatment.

METHODS

A sample of 36 subjects was selected, with patients randomly allocated into two homogeneous groups, Study Group (SG) and Control Group (CG), depending on the application/non-application of AT. Patients rated their pain scores monthly from 0 to 10, on visual analogue scales (VAS) at the time of bonding (T0) and again at two appliance adjustments (T1 and T2). At each of these treatment phases, VAS was applied in six different time moments (TM): immediately before, immediately after, after 4 hours, after 8 hours, after 24 hours, and after 72h hours. Descriptive statistical analysis, a Student's t-test, and a Chi-square test were applied to the collected data (statistical significance for p< 0.05).

RESULTS

SG patients reported lower pain levels than CG patients, both at T0, T1 and T2. Moreover, average pain intensity values were lower in the SG for all TM analyzed, with the t-test significant (p< 0.05) for most TMs.

CONCLUSION

AT was effective in the pain treatment of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Further studies are needed with a sham control group to confirm the validity of these results.

Effects of auriculotherapy on stress, anxiety and depression in adults and older adults: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To identify evidence in scientific literature about the effects of auriculotherapy for treating stress, anxiety and depression in adults and older adults by analyzing the main protocols for applying the intervention.

METHOD

A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA). Detailed individual search strategies were applied in February 2019 in the BDENF, CINAHL, Cochrane, CUMED, Embase, LILACS, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus, Segunda Opinião Formativa (SOF) and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Jadad Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 24 from the 859 articles found comprised the study sample. Of these, 22 (92%) showed a positive effect of auriculotherapy for stress, anxiety or depression.

CONCLUSION

The available evidence on the effects of auriculotherapy on stress, anxiety and depression proves the effectiveness of the technique in adults and older adults. However, the studies showed methodological weaknesses. Although the identified protocols are different, there are frequent similar points including Shenmen, Kidney, Autonomic Nervous System, Heart, Brain Stem and Liver 1 and 2 which can be used in new studies.

Implementation, access and use of integrative and complementary practices in the unified health system: a literature review

In Brazil, the Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICP) achieved greater visibility after the establishment of the National Integrative and Complementary Practices Policy (NICPP) in 2006. However, there are still gaps in the general setting of these practices. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the implementation, access and use of ICPs in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) after the establishment of this policy. We performed an integrative literature review, guided by the question: "What is the current setting of implementation, access and use of ICPs within the SUS?", in the Virtual Health Library (BVS), the U.S. National Library of Medicine and in the Web of Science, with descriptors "Sistema Único de Saúde" / "Unified Health System" AND "Terapias Complementares" / "Complementary Therapies". The analysis of papers gave rise to four categories for discussion: "The ICP approach in the SUS: main practices used"; "Access to ICPs: Primary Health Care as a gateway"; "Current implementation scenario of ICPs: the preparation of health services and professionals for to implement ICPs"; "Main advances in the use of ICPs and future challenges". We have observed that ICPs are bashfully offered and that data available are scarce, despite the positive impacts on users and services that have embraced their use.

Effects of low-power laser auriculotherapy on the physical and emotional aspects in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effects of low-power laser auriculotherapy (LA) on the physical and emotional symptoms of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), in comparison with occlusal splints (OS).

DESIGN

Randomized, blinded, prospective, non-inferiority clinical trial.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients received OS (control group) or LA (experimental group).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines, patients with TMD were evaluated by using axes I and II of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for RDC-TMD. Both intra- and intergroup quantitative variables were analyzed with ANOVA (p < 0.05), while qualitative variables were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis (intergroup evaluations; p < 0.05) or Mann-Whitney tests (intragroup analyses; p < 0.05).

RESULTS

OS improved five physical symptoms of TMD (pain in the right temporal muscle, right and left masseter muscles, left joint, and left intraoral region), while LA improved six (jaw functioning; pain in left masseter muscle, right and left joints, and right and left intraoral regions). Similarly, OS improved seven emotional symptoms (degree of depression, degree of non-specific physical symptoms, excluding pain, degree of non-specific physical symptoms including pain, average pain value in the past 6 months, presence of depression, intensity and characteristics of pain, non-specific physical symptoms including pain), while LA improved five (degree of non-specific physical symptoms including pain, presence of depression, intensity and characteristics of pain, non-specific physical symptoms including pain, non-specific physical symptoms excluding pain).

CONCLUSION

LA improved the physical and emotional symptoms of TMD, with results similar to OS.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

For the physical and emotional symptoms associated with TMD, LA showed similar outcomes as OS.

Effect of the Auricular Acupoint Associated with Physical Exercise in Elderly People: A Randomized Clinical Test

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of auricular acupoint associated with physical exercise on balance, mobility, and fear of falling in the elderly.

METHOD

The study is characterized as a clinical, controlled, and randomized trial with 22 elderly people divided into two groups: kinesiotherapy group (n = 11) and kinesiotherapy/auriculotherapy group (n = 11). The instruments used for evaluation were Falls Efficacy Scale International; Berg Balance Scale, and Timed up and Go Test. The intervention was performed with frequency 2×/week for 8 weeks. In the kinesiotherapy/auriculotherapy group, in addition to kinesiotherapy, auriculotherapy was applied in specific acupoints. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the normality of the data, and for comparison, analysis of variance was used for repeated measures of two factors.

RESULTS

There was a significant intragroup reduction for the Timed up and Go Test (p = 0.00) and Falls Efficacy Scale International (p = 0.00), and significant intragroup Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.00) for both groups.

CONCLUSION

The auricular acupoint did not influence the balance, mobility, and fear of falling in the elderly studied.