Abstract
This systematic review aimed to compare the efficacy of nonpharmacological therapies for painful temporomandibular joint disorders. The protocol was registered on International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (CRD42020171364). The search was performed on the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, and Web of Science. The eligibility criteria were randomized controlled trials in patients diagnosed with painful temporomandibular joint disorders comparing the pain relief between conventional treatment and nonpharmacological therapies such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, low-level laser, and massage. Fourteen articles were included in this review. At the overall bias of the studies included, 71.42% exhibited some concerns and 28.57% had high risk. The efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions was found to be moderate in the short term and variable in the long term for pain reduction in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. The evidence pointed out that acupuncture, laser therapy, and physiotherapy are potentially useful interventions for pain relief in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders. However, there is a lack of consistency and short-term follow-up in the studies to determine the lasting of such effect.
Highlights
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the jaw, the muscles, the ligaments, the periodontium, and the dental organs complete a functional stomatognathic unit
14 articles fully met the eligibility criteria regarding the treatment of pain in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) through nonpharmacological interventions (AT, physical therapy, lowlevel laser, or massage)
The reasons for not conducting a meta-analysis were the methodological heterogeneity of the interventions as well as the different follow-up intervals found across the studies
Summary
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the jaw, the muscles, the ligaments, the periodontium, and the dental organs complete a functional stomatognathic unit. Disruption of those components derives into homeostatic rupture known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with the development of pain and mandibular movement alterations.[1,2]. These disorders include a highly heterogeneous group of clinical conditions characterized by pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system.[3,4]. TMD are frequent, and even one in ten patients with TMD has been suffered from severe pain-related disability,[5] which directly affects their quality of life.[6].
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