Immediate Effect of Masticatory Muscle Activity with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Muscle Pain of Temporomandibular Disorders Patients

Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive treatment modality for acute and chronic pain. However, little information for muscle activity is available on the immediate effects of TENS in masticatory muscle pain related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The present study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of TENS treatment on TMD-related muscle pain. Thirty-six patients with TMD-related muscle pain and 39 healthy subjects served as TMD and control groups, respectively. For objective evaluations, maximum mouth opening, and maximum bite force were measured before and after TENS. The pain intensity was assessed according to a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). TENS was applied to painful muscles for 20 min with frequencies of 100–200 Hz. The treatment outcome was evaluated using Global Rating of Change (GRC) scales. In the TMD group, VAS values significantly decreased after TENS. Although there was significant increase in the maximum mouth opening after TENS for only TMD group, the maximum bite force of both groups was significantly greater after TENS. According to GRC scales, one patient with TMD-related muscle pain expressed negative feelings after TENS. Conclusively, TENS treatment might quickly relieve pain in masticatory muscles and improve masticatory functions in patients with TMD-related muscle pain.

Preclinical models of deep craniofacial nociception and temporomandibular disorder pain

“…Further, evidence suggests that CPM response in the trigeminal-innervated body regions is weaker compared with those in the extra-trigeminal innervated areas [ 62 ]. Third, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) has been suggested to manage TMD pain on the mechanisms of the resulting pain relief through the CNS mechanisms [ [63] , [64] , [65] ]. The basis for inhibitory effects of TENS on TMD pain is not fully understood, but the modulatory roles of TENS on descending pain controls in the CNS are considered [ 21 , 66 ].…”

Effectiveness of TENS and home exercises as an adjunct to drug therapy in the management of myogenous masticatory pain: a comparative study

“…A systematic review on TENS in the management of a different spectrum of TMDs found a significant and considerable (19.2-77%) reduction in painful sensations immediately after the treatment [20]. TENS not only relieved pain and improved masticatory functions [21] but also simultaneously decreased myoelectric activity of elevator muscles at rest [8]. Although TENS has been proved to be effective in different TMDs, few researchers have reported contrast findings in myofascial pain dysfunction [22] and bruxism [23].…”

Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Modulation in a Rat Model with Myogenous Temporomandibular Dysfunction

“…Conventional TENS was effective in improving the functional mouth opening, but the side effects such as tingling sensation and paresthesia occurred in some patients following TENS [ 20 ]. There was also significant increase in maximum mouth opening and the maximum bite force after conventional TENS in patients with TMD-related muscle pain, but one patient expressed negative feelings after TENS [ 21 ]. Previous evidence has also reported that conventional TENS reduced both pain and EMG activity of the anterior portion of the temporal muscle, increasing the activity of masseter muscles during maximum voluntary clenching in TMD patients.…”