Benefits of the combination of digital and analogic tools as a strategy to control possible awake bruxism: A randomised clinical trial.

Abstract

Awake Bruxism (AB) management includes cognitive and behavioural changes. Digital and analogic tools can be used to remind the individual to control/avoid AB behaviours. However, no study addressed both tools together. To compare the efficacy of the combination of digital (smartphone application) and analogic (adhesive reminders) tools versus digital tool alone for AB management. Seventy-two individuals diagnosed with probable AB were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 24), used both digital and analogic tools during 30 days; Group 2 (n = 24), used only a digital tool during 30 days and Group 3 (n = 24), used only a digital tool for the first 15 days and then added the analogic tool for 15 days. The AB frequency was measured in real-time with a smartphone app, which sent alerts asking the individuals if they were doing any AB behaviours (bracing, teeth contact, clenching or grinding). Groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and before-after adding an analogic tool (group 3) by paired t-test, considering α = 0.05. All groups showed a decrease in AB behaviours at the end of the evaluation period. Group 1 (digital and analogic tools) showed the lowest average of AB behaviours among all groups; however, statistically significant differences were found only for the comparison between groups 1 and 2. In group 3, a significantly greater reduction in AB behaviours was found after combining both approaches. The combination of digital and analogic tools showed the greatest reduction of AB frequency and can be recommended for AB control.