The effects of Biofreeze and superficial heat on masticatory myofascial pain syndrome

Purpose: This study aims to assess the influence of superficial heat and Biofreeze on pain, mouth opening (mm), and quality of life in patients with masticatory myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Materials and methods: 52 patients with MPS were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the Biofreeze group (n = 26) applied 3.5% menthol gel to the masseter and temporal muscles twice a day for seven days, while the other group applied superficial heat. Baseline, 7th, and 21st days of VAS, mouth opening (mm), and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scores of the patients were evaluated statistically.

Results: The mouth opening increased by 4.27 ± 3.80 mm in the Biofreeze group and 2.58 ± 2.16 mm in the superficial heat group. In each group, a significant decrease in VAS and OHIP-14 scores was observed on the 7th day compared to the baseline values (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two applications on myofascial pain, mouth opening (mm), and OHIP-14 total score variables. The favorable effects of both applications on these parameters were limited to the duration of use.

Conclusion: Biofreeze and superficial heat in MPS were found to increase the quality of life, but the limited effectiveness of these applications underlines the importance of the underlying factors.