Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment with dry needling (AS) in the masseter muscle of patients diagnosed with myofascial pain as the pain symptoms and the mouth opening (AB). After sample size calculation, we selected 10 patients referred for treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) diagnosed with MP, with or without limited mouth opening according to Axis I of the RDC/TMD, who underwent six DN sessions, once a week. Pain measurement using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and an evaluation of the extent of mouth opening were done. All participants were female and the average age was 39.2 years, with 8 (80%) having a diagnosis of myofascial pain with limited mouth opening and 2 (20%) with only myofascial pain. Maximum unaided opening without pain before treatment was 31.9 mm and went to 36.2 mm, and the maximum unaided opening went from 39.6 mm to 43.1 mm. In both, however, could not find statistical significance (p> 0.05). Regarding the mean weekly VAS value, this went from 8.3 before treatment to 2.3 a week later, with statistically significant results (p < 0.05). In this study, the AS in the masseter muscle presented is a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of myofascial pain. KeywordsTemporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Dry needling; Trigger points; Myofascial pain.
Highlights
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refers to a set of changes that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/ or masticatory muscles and facial structures [1]
This study aimed to evaluate treatment of dry needling in the masseter muscle, based on pain and mouth opening of the patients
As for the diagnosis of TMD according to Axis I of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD), 8 patients (80%) had myofascial pain with limited opening, and 2 (20%) had myofascial pain only
Summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refers to a set of changes that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/ or masticatory muscles and facial structures [1]. Myofascial pain (MFP) is a common diagnosis in patients with musculoskeletal pain associated with active or latent myofascial trigger points (TPs) [3]. The peculiar feature of TPs is that they are a constant source of deep pain and may produce central excitatory effects, affecting the CNS [4]. Local and referred pain can become chronic, and restricted motion and muscle weakness can occur [5]. Among the different treatment options, dry needling (DN) is an effective intervention used in the treatment of myofascial pain
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