Long-Term Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency Therapy in Temporomandibular Disorders

Abstract

This prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate long-term treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Eighty-six female TMD patients diagnosed based on the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) were randomly assigned to either PRF or placebo therapy in combination with other conventional treatments. Therapy was delivered and symptoms were evaluated once a week for 12 weeks. Additional final analysis was done 12 weeks after treatment completion. Clinical outcomes including pain intensity, comfortable mouth opening range, maximum unassisted mouth opening range, response to palpation of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscle areas, and presence of joint noises and patient satisfaction were analyzed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of intervention and at 24 weeks from baseline. Pain intensity, comfortable and maximum mouth opening range, and pain on capsule and masticatory muscle palpation were significantly improved after treatment in both groups. Notably, the PRF group showed a significantly lower pain intensity at the final evaluation done 3 months after completion of treatment. Significantly more patients in the PRF group reported subjective pain improvement and satisfaction with treatment following intervention at baseline. Long-term regular PRF therapy was effective in significantly reducing TMD pain and the effect was long-lasting following treatment completion. PRF therapy should be considered as a supportive physical therapy modality in TMD.