Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
The efficacy of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation in treating masticatory myofascial pain: A systematic
Roxanne Bavarian1,2, Shehryar N Khawaja3, Adesile H Ajisafe4
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Objective:
To assess the efficacy of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (MENS) therapy in treating myofascial pain of the masticatory muscles.
Methods:
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the efficacy of MENS was evaluated, with the primary outcome being the reduction in pain on palpation of the masticatory muscles.
Results:
Four independent comparisons based on three studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 140). In comparison to placebo and other therapies, treatment with MENS showed an improved mean reduction in pain of -0.57 points (CI: -0.91 to -0.23 points, I2 = 83.7%).
Conclusion:
Evidence from this meta-analysis shows that MENS is an effective non-invasive treatment that can be used to reduce pain in patients with myofascial pain of the masticatory muscle; however, the study was limited by the small number of articles relevant to the research question as well as variability between the selected studies.
