OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the scientific literature regarding the use of acupuncture in the treatment of pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). METHODS: By using electronic databases, the goal was to search and evaluate all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which acupuncture was used in the management of pain attributed to these clinical entities. For the meta-analysis, an adequate description of the results' statistical data was required along with a comparison of the treatment with a control group using a placebo or sham. Two independent reviewers evaluated the quality of the studies using the Jadad scale. RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs were selected, and the quality of only 4 was considered acceptable. These 4 studies showed positive results such as reducing pain, improving masticatory function, and increasing maximum interincisal opening. By combining the studies (n=96) and analyzing the results, it was concluded that acupuncture is more effective than placebo in reducing pain intensity in TMD (standardized mean difference 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.25; P=0.00012). DISCUSSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that acupuncture is a reasonable adjunctive treatment for producing a short-term analgesic effect in patients with painful TMD symptoms. Although the results described are positive, the relevance of these results was limited by the fact that substantial bias was present. These findings must be confirmed by future RCTs that improve the methodologic deficiencies of the studies evaluated in this meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the scientific literature regarding the use of acupuncture in the treatment of pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). METHODS: By using electronic databases, the goal was to search and evaluate all the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which acupuncture was used in the management of pain attributed to these clinical entities. For the meta-analysis, an adequate description of the results' statistical data was required along with a comparison of the treatment with a control group using a placebo or sham. Two independent reviewers evaluated the quality of the studies using the Jadad scale. RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs were selected, and the quality of only 4 was considered acceptable. These 4 studies showed positive results such as reducing pain, improving masticatory function, and increasing maximum interincisal opening. By combining the studies (n=96) and analyzing the results, it was concluded that acupuncture is more effective than placebo in reducing pain intensity in TMD (standardized mean difference 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.25; P=0.00012). DISCUSSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that acupuncture is a reasonable adjunctive treatment for producing a short-term analgesic effect in patients with painful TMD symptoms. Although the results described are positive, the relevance of these results was limited by the fact that substantial bias was present. These findings must be confirmed by future RCTs that improve the methodologic deficiencies of the studies evaluated in this meta-analysis.
Authors: Cheryl Ritenbaugh; Richard Hammerschlag; Samuel F Dworkin; Mikel G Aickin; Scott D Mist; Charles R Elder; Richard E Harris Journal: J Pain Date: 2012-10-09 Impact factor: 5.820
Authors: Courtney Lee; Cindy Crawford; Dawn Wallerstedt; Alexandra York; Alaine Duncan; Jennifer Smith; Meredith Sprengel; Richard Welton; Wayne Jonas Journal: Syst Rev Date: 2012-10-15
Authors: James W DeVocht; Christine M Goertz; Maria A Hondras; Cynthia R Long; Wally Schaeffer; Lauren Thomann; Michael Spector; Clark M Stanford Journal: J Am Dent Assoc Date: 2013 Impact factor: 3.634
Authors: Alfonso Gil-Martínez; Alba Paris-Alemany; Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva; Roy La Touche Journal: J Pain Res Date: 2018-03-16 Impact factor: 3.133