Effects of Treatment with Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Splints on Electromyography in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Patients

Abstract

This research aimed at evaluating the effects of the nociceptive trigeminal inhibition splint (NTIS) on electromyography (EMG) for masseter and temporalis muscles in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), and at detecting the discomfort degree originating from this splint. The sample consisted of 15 patients having TMDs of muscular origin to be treated by NTIS. The activity degree of masseter and temporalis muscles was measured using the EMG two times: before the treatment and after 6 months. Besides, patients' discomfort was assessed after the start of treatment four times: 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 6 months. After the treatment, there was a significant decrease in masseter and temporalis muscles' activity in both right and left sides (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the electrical muscular activity mean change between the masseter muscles (-43.87 ± 26.82) and the temporalis muscles (-54.91 ± 21.16) (p = 0.082), or between the right muscles (-51.97 ± 26.30) and the left muscles (-46.81 ± 22.90) (p = 0.422). In addition, the discomfort degree gradually decreased after 2 weeks (p < 0.01). The use of NTIS is associated with reduction in the masseter and temporalis muscles' activity. Also, the patients' discomfort degree from NTIS progressively decreases after 2 weeks of treatment. The NTIS is an effective therapeutic approach for patients having TMDs of muscular origin.