Effectiveness of vitamin b complex in reducing chronic temporomandibular joint disorder pain — double blind randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Chronic temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) pain management has always been challenging and usually requires long-term analgesics. Commonly used analgesics have a potential for adverse effects in long-term usage, thus there is a need to look for a safer alternative analgesic option. Objectives: To evaluate efficacy of vitamin B complex (VBC) [B1, B6, B12] in reducing chronic TMD pain. Methods: 26 patients with chronic TMD pain secondary to arthralgia, osteoarthritis and disc displacement were included. The patients were allocated randomly into two groups and received either VBC tablet (B1: 242.5 mg, B6: 250 mg, B12: 1 mg) or placebo once per day for six weeks. Clinical measurements were recorded at week 0 and week 2, week 4, and week 6 to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Pain intensity was measured by visual analogue score (VAS) and mandibular range of movement was measured by maximal comfortable mandibular opening and lateral excursion. Adverse effects and compliance rate towards treatment were also assessed. Findings: In this 6-week clinical trial, both groups showed significant VAS pain reduction (VBC 2.49 ± 1.71; placebo 1.41 ± 1.53; P < 0.05). The amount of VAS pain reduction in the VBC group was significantly higher than in the Placebo group at week 2 (1.19 ± 1.28 versus 0.23 ± 0.90) and week 4 (2.32 ± 1.42 versus 1.25 ± 0.75; P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was noted in mouth opening improvement. Both VBC and placebo medications were well tolerated with minimal adverse effects. Conclusion: In this study a dose of VBC (B1: 242.5 mg, B6: 250 mg, B12: 1 mg) was significantly better than placebo in reducing chronic TMD pain at week two and week four.