Contingent electrical stimulation inhibits jaw muscle activity during sleep but not pain intensity or masticatory muscle pressure pain threshold in self-reported bruxers: a pilot study

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014 Jan;117(1):45-52. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2013.08.015. Epub 2013 Oct 31.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effect of contingent electrical stimulation (CES) on present pain intensity (PI), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and electromyographic events per hour of sleep (EMG/h) on probable bruxers with masticatory myofascial pain.

Study design: The study enrolled 15 probable bruxers with masticatory myofascial pain in 3 phases: (1) baseline EMG/h recording, (2) biofeedback treatment using a CES paradigm (active group, n = 7) or inactive device (control group, n = 8), and (3) posttreatment EMG/h recording. PI and PPT were assessed after each phase. Analysis of variance models were used to compare results at a 5% significance level.

Results: Patients in the active group had 35% lower EMG/h in P2 and 38.4% lower EMG/h in P3, when compared with baseline. There were no differences in PI or PPT levels at any phase.

Conclusions: CES could reduce EMG activity associated with sleep bruxism in patients with masticatory myofascial pain but did not influence perceived pain.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biofeedback, Psychology / methods*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electromyography
  • Facial Pain / physiopathology
  • Facial Pain / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Masticatory Muscles / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Sleep Bruxism / physiopathology
  • Sleep Bruxism / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires