A comparison of different treatments for nocturnal bruxism

One hundred bruxers were evaluated for bruxing activity before, during, and after treatment with a portable electromyograph (EMG). A six-month post-treatment follow-up of bruxing activity was obtained. Experimental treatment groups consisted of diurnal biofeedback, nocturnal biofeedback, massed negative practice, and splint therapy. A no-treatment control group was included. The comparative efficacy of treatments was determined by analyses of variance. Both EMG-measured frequency of bruxing episodes and duration of bruxing activity decreased significantly for nocturnal biofeedback and splint therapy treatments but not for massed negative practice, diurnal biofeedback (relaxation), or the no-treatment control group. The two-week treatment effects were transient, and bruxing activity generally returned to baseline levels when treatment was withdrawn. These findings are consistent with the findings of previous researchers with regard to nocturnal biofeedback and splint therapy but differ from previous findings for massed negative practice therapy.