A novel vibratory stimulation-based splint for chronic and untreatable masticatory myofascial pain: a case-series.

AIM: This clinical report aimed to introduce a novel vibratory stimulation-based occlusal splint (VibS) for management of chronic and untreatable masticatory myofascial pain (MMFP).

METHODS

This study was conducted on four chronic MMFP patients (mean age: 27.5±5.56 years, females) who were diagnosed according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD), and who were using stabilization splints for more than 6 months and still complained of pain above 40 mm in a 100-mm VAS scale. The included subjects utilized the active VibS and subsequently the inactive VibS during 30 days in each trial, separated by a wash-out period of at least 8 months. VAS pain levels were the only measured dependent variable, and were recorded before and after the use of active VibS and inactive VibS.

RESULTS

At baseline, mean VAS pain levels before using the active or inactive splint were 54.5±19.8 mm and 44.0±13.6 mm, respectively. After using the active VibS, mean pain level decreased by 77% (VASpos-pre=-42.0±30.3 mm). On the other hand, after using the inactive VibS, severe pain aggravation of 67% in magnitude was observed (VASpos-pre=+29.5±21.5 mm).

CONCLUSION

This case-series study demonstrated a good tendency of this novel VibS in chronic MMFP alleviation after a 4-week management period compared to a control inactive VibS.