Therapie bei Schmerzen der Kaumuskulatur

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of myoarthropatic symptoms in patients with craniomandibular dysfunction - a protocol for a randomized and controlled pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a collective term for pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joints. The most common types of TMD are pain-related, which may impact the psychological behavior and quality of life. Currently, the most popular methods for the treatment of TMD patients are occlusal splint therapy, often in combination with physical- and/or pharmacotherapy. However, due to the complexity of etiology, the treatment of chronic TMD remains a challenge. Recently, CE-certified systems for non-invasive VNS (transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, taVNS) have become available and show positive effects in the treatment of chronic pain conditions, like migraine or fibromyalgia, with which TMD shares similarities. Therefore, it is the main purpose of the study to evaluate the feasibility of daily taVNS against chronic TMD and to assess whether there is an improvement in pain severity, quality of life, and kinetic parameters.

METHODS

This study is designed as a single-blinded, double-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a 1:1 allocation ratio. Twenty adult patients with chronical TMD symptoms will be enrolled and randomized to stimulation or sham group. In the stimulation group, taVNS is performed on the left tragus (25 Hz, pulse width 250 µs, 28 s on/32 s off, 4 h/day). The sham group will receive no stimulation via a non-functional identical-looking electrode. Validated questionnaire data and clinical parameters will be collected at the beginning of the study and after 4 and 8 weeks. The compliance of a daily taVNS of patients with chronical TMD will be evaluated via a smartphone app recording daily stimulation time and average intensity. Additionally, the treatment impact on pain severity and quality of life will be assessed with different questionnaires, and the effect on the mandibular mobility and muscle activity will be analyzed.

DISCUSSION

This is the first clinical trial to assess the feasibility of taVNS in patients with chronic TMD symptoms. If taVNS improves the symptoms of TMD, it will be a significant gain in quality of life for these chronic pain patients. The results of this pilot study will help to determine the feasibility of a large-scale RCT.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered in the DRKS database (DRKS00029724).

Long-term effects of splint therapy in patients with posttraumatic stress disease (PTSD)

Objectives

The aim of a pilot study was to clarify the question of whether mouth opening restrictions in patients with PTSD by means of splint therapy (st) show long-term therapeutic effects in the case of functional disorders.

Material and methods

In 31 of 36 inpatients (soldiers, average age 37.1 ± 7.3 years, 26.7 ± 2.1 teeth) with confirmed posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain intensity > 6 (visual analogue scale 0 to 10), the mouth opening was determined, and the functional status (RDC-TMD) was recorded. All participants received a splint that was worn at night. A control of the therapeutic effect of the splint occurred after 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

The mouth opening initially had an average of 30.9 ± 6.5 mm (median 31 mm). The pain intensity (PI) was reported to be on average VAS 8.3 ± 0.9, the chronic degree of pain according to von Korff was 3.9 ± 03. Six weeks after the st (n = 31), the average mouth opening was 49.5 ± 6.3 mm (median 51.5). PI was given as VAS 2.3 ± 1.1 on average. After 3, 6, and 12 months, 24, 15, and 14 subjects could be interviewed regarding PI. Based on the last examination date of all subjects, the average PI was given as 1.1 ± 0.9 (median 1).

Conclusion

The presented data show that the therapeutic short-term results achieved by means of a splint remain valid on the long term despite continued PTSD.

Clinical relevance

The presented study shows that patients will benefit in the long term from a splint and remain symptom-free, even if this mental illness persists.

Impact of dentists' years since graduation on management of temporomandibular disorders

OBJECTIVES

The aims were to assess the impact of the number of years since dentists' graduation on appraisement of diagnostic needs and utilization of treatment options for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to investigate whether increased knowledge in TMD is sufficiently considered in today's dentist's undergraduate curricula and, therefore, represented in more evidence-based TMD management in dentists with less years since graduation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire regarding knowledge and management of TMD was developed and was subsequently applied in a random sample of 400 dentists in a region in Northern Germany.

RESULTS

Of the 222 dentists (response rate 55.6 %), participating in the study, the frequency of TMD treatment need in the general population was estimated at 21.5 %, with lower values in dentists with more years passed since graduation. Measures regarding utilization of standardized examination forms, perceptions of insufficient specialization, and referrals of patients to TMD specialists indicated a lower quality and certainty in TMD management in participants with less time since graduation. While the provision of splints was a well-established treatment option in initial TMD management of all participants, additional TMD treatment options were mentioned less often, with lower proportions of participants making use of these options within the first decade since graduation.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based TMD management is not fully represented in dental practitioners in Germany. This might be due to an insufficient consideration of TMD management in the dentist's undergraduate curricula.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Effective interventions to increase dentists' knowledge and to change dentists' practices in TMD management are required.

[The therapy of masticatory muscle pain with oral splints]

Myofascial masticatory muscle pain is the second most frequent pain-related complaint in the orofacial region. Like unspecific musculoskeletal pain in other body segments, masticatory muscle pain is characterised by a multifactorial aetiology. The aim of this article is to document the current knowledge about the therapy with oral splints. It is shown that in both the short and long term, oral appliances can achieve sufficient pain relief in the majority of patients. In chronic myofascial jaw pain associated with psychosocial impairment in patients, effectiveness of splint therapy is limited, though. Within an interdisciplinary pain management programme, additional involvement of a psychotherapist is essential.

[Clinical management of masticatory muscle pain: an update of the recommendations]

Besides the different forms of odontalgia, myalgias of the masticatory muscles are the most frequent noninfectious complaints in the orofacial region. After summarizing the recommendations set forth by the Interdisciplinary Working Group of Orofacial Pain within the German Chapter of the IASP (German Pain Society), we present the current state of knowledge regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic options, based on an extensive literature search. A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the database of the Deutsche Zahnärztliche Zeitschrift. The results corroborate our previous recommendations that for the majority of patients pain reduction or pain relief can be achieved with noninvasive, reversible methods. Short- and long-term trials have added more evidence to the fact that different therapeutic measures have similar efficacy. In patients with chronic myalgias of the jaw muscles, involvement of a psychotherapist is crucial. Patient education, oral appliances, physiotherapeutic exercises, and acupuncture are recommended therapeutic measures, while physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychological therapy received a limited recommendation.