Effect of occlusal adjustment on globus symptom

Twenty-two patients seeking treatment for the globus symptom were examined for the presence of symptoms and signs of TMJ dysfunction. They were randomly divided into a treatment group (N = 13) and a placebo group (N = 9) and underwent either simple occlusal adjustment or mock adjustment, respectively. The result of occlusal adjustment was assessed immediately after completion of treatment. The effect of treatment on the globus symptom was assessed 2 to 3 months later in a double-blind study design. Binomial tests showed that there was a significant association between the success of occlusal adjustment and disappearance of the globus symptom. Three patients in the placebo group subsequently received occlusal adjustment and splint therapy. When all patients were interviewed 20 to 44 months later, only two of them reported no improvement. Both had unstable occlusion when the treatment was terminated.