Assessment of the effectiveness of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation TENS and diclofenac in the management of temporomandibular joint disorder TMD pain a single blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineBackground newlineTemporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) is a collection of pathologies newlineinvolving the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the muscles associated or a newlinecombination of both. Classical features of TMD include: TMJ pain with or newlinewithout muscle involvement, joint noises, restriction of jaw movements and newlinedeviation or deflection of the jaw. TMD is one of the most common chronic newlineorofacial pain conditions of non-dental origin. TMD is reported to have a newlineprevalence of approximately 5 - 12% in overall public health. newlineAim newlineThe aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Transcutaneous newlineElectric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Diclofenac as a treatment modality for newlinemanagement of pain due to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and newlineassess the quality of life (QoL) using Chronic Pain Grade Scale (CPGS). newlineMaterials and Methods newlineThe study was designed as a prospective single blinded randomized controlled newlinetrial which included 42 patients. The patients were divided into two groups. In newlinegroup 1, patients were prescribed Tablet Diclofenac sodium 50mg once daily newlineand group 2 patients underwent TENS therapy once a week. Grouping was newlinedone via the coin toss method where head in a coin indicates group 1 and newlineflower in a coin indicates group 2. Clinically and radiographically diagnosed newlinecases of TMD alone were taken into the study. Pain and QoL assessment was newlinedone with chronic pain grade scale (CPGS) every visit. Paired T test was done newlineto compare the treatment effects of TENS and Diclofenac. Unpaired T test was newlinedone to compare the treatment effects between the two intervention groups. newlineResults newlineComparing both the groups, it is statistically significant that TENS (81.91%) newlineworked better than diclofenac (66.29%) in reducing the pain intensity. There newlinewas also a significant increase in mouth opening and right lateral jaw newlinemovement and reduction in clicking noise, crepitus and muscle tenderness in newlinethe TENS group (plt0.005). newlineConclusion newlineTENS performed better in comparison to diclofenac in reducing pain.