Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Dental Research
• Pain Management

Background:

• Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (PDS) is the most prevalent temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
• PDS presents with various synonyms, including facial arthromyalgia and myofascial pain dysfunction.
• The etiology of PDS is multifactorial, with diverse therapeutic approaches advocated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of stabilisation splint therapy in alleviating symptoms for patients diagnosed with PDS.
• To compare stabilisation splint therapy against placebo, alternative treatments, and no treatment interventions.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
• Searches included major electronic databases and handsearching of journals, with no language restrictions.
• Data extraction and validity assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

• Twelve RCTs were analyzed, comparing stabilisation splint therapy (SS) with acupuncture, bite plates, biofeedback, relaxation, jaw exercises, and no treatment.
• No statistically significant difference was found between SS and other active treatments for PDS symptom reduction.
• Weak evidence suggests SS may reduce pain severity compared to no treatment.

Conclusions:

• Insufficient evidence exists to definitively support or refute the use of SS for PDS.
• Further high-quality RCTs are recommended, focusing on methodological rigor and standardized outcome measures.
• Standardization of outcome assessment in PDS treatment trials is crucial for future research.