Efeito a curto prazo da crâniopuntura sobre a dor, distúrbios do sono e qualidade de vida, em pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular: ensaio clinico randomizado

Abstract

Introduction: Scalp acupuncture, a form of acupuncture, has been incorporated in the treatment of various pathologies, mainly for the relief of chronic pain. However, there are currently no studies on its use in TMD, the main condition of chronic orofacial pain. Objective: To evaluate the effects of Chinese scalp acupuncture in patients diagnosed with TMD regarding sleep, quality of life and pain. As well, as compare their results to traditional therapies. Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with TMD by Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC / TMD) Diagnostic Research Criteria were allocated into four treatment groups: Counseling (CO = 15), Occlusal Splint (OS = 15), Craniopuncture (CP = 15) and Manual Physiotherapy (MP = 15). The CP group was conducted in eight sessions, two a week, for four weeks. After one month of treatment the participants were reevaluated. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was applied regarding sleep disorders, World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-bref), quality of life, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. . The analyzed data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science program (SPSS 22.0), using the Kruskal-Wallis test for nonparametric data (p <0.05) for intergroup analysis, or postoperatively. Mann Whitney test, and the Wilcoxon Signed Classification Test for intragroup analysis (p <0.05). Results: The CP group improved pain parameters (p = 0.015), as did the OS (p = 0.01) and MP (p = 0.014) groups after 30 days of treatment. However, only the OS (p = 0.002) and MP (p = 0.029) groups improved sleep quality, whereas with quality of life only the MP group improved the significant form of the WHOQOL physical domain (p = 0.011) and the group OS the psychological domain (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Scalp acupuncture demonstrated positive short-term results in TMD patients, significantly reducing pain, as well as occlusal splint and manual physiotherapy, being superior to counseling. Therefore, being another alternative to conventional therapies.