Management of temporomandibular disorders with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: A systematic review.

Objective

The objectives of this systematic review were to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to determine the indications and most appropriate application modalities.

Methods

Papers published in the Medline database, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library before November 2018 were included.

Results

Fourteen articles were retained, corresponding to a total of 532 patients, among which, 285 had a TMD. Immediately after a TENS session, significant relief of pain (19.2% to 77%), significant functional improvement (mouth opening amplitude increased by between 8.7% and 19.46%), and reduced electromyographic activity of the anterior temporalis and masseter muscles were observed. However, studies comparing TENS to other physical medicine modalities (ultrasound and laser) reported equivalent results.

Conclusion

Further randomized comparative clinical trials will be necessary to optimize the use of TENS (program, duration of sessions, duration of treatment) for different types of TMD.