Effect of Electroacupuncture in Patients Submitted Orthognathic Surgery and Mentoplasty

February 27, 2025 updated by: Daniela Ap. Biasotto-Gonzalez, University of Nove de Julho

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Paresthesias and Functional Changes in Patients Submitted to Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery and Mentoplasty

Goals. To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on paresthesia and myofunctional changes in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and mentoplasty. Methodology: this is a controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial. The sample will consist of 62 individuals in each group (general sample = 124 participants). Therefore, 124 young adults, aged between 18 and 50 years, both sexes, with at least 24 teeth, with Class II or III skeletal malocclusion, diagnosed by cephalometric radiographs, who underwent orthognathic surgery in the period from 1 to 30 days before the start of physical therapy, be available to perform the proposed postoperative treatment for six weeks. Participants will be equally and randomly distributed into two experimental groups: GF (Physiotherapy Group), GFE (Physiotherapy plus Electroacupuncture Group). The variables to be studied will be: socioepidemiological data; sensitivity assessment by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test; Edema assessment by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema protocol, validated in Portuguese; assessment of mandibular movements using a Western-DC digital caliper; Assessment of masticatory function using the Chewing Quality Assessment Questionnaire. Data will be analyzed descriptively and organized into tables. Subsequently, the normality of continuous variables will be tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. As the variables are normally distributed, we will use parametric tests such as the paired t test, independent t test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon paired signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Spearman correlation test will be used in case of non-normality of continuous variables. The significance level will be adjusted to 5% in all analyses.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Introduction: Among the major oral and maxillofacial surgeries called reconstructive, the one that has become popular in recent years, especially after the mandatory coverage of costs by health plans, was orthognathic surgery, so called because it is a combined procedure between orthodontics and oral and maxillofacial surgery, aiming at the correction of the masticatory system with the objective of reducing the discrepancies related to the jaws and, thus, establishing harmony between the face and the skull. Lesions of the inferior alveolar nerve (INA) are frequent due to its anatomical location, passing through the sagittal osteotomy of the mandibular ramus, where manipulation of the mandibular ramus or the structures that surround the nerve occurs during the operation. Goals. To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on paresthesia and myofunctional changes in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and mentoplasty. Methodology: this is a controlled, randomized, blinded clinical trial. The sample was defined from a pilot study involving ten individuals, considering as an outcome the sensitivity obtained under the same experimental conditions used in this study. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures considering two factors, group (treatment and control) and irradiation (pre-, post-6 treatment session and post-3 plot) was used to calculate the squared value of the ETA (0.033). The estimated number was 50 individuals per group. For sample calculation, α=0.05 (5% chance of type I error) and 1-β= 0.80 (% of sampling power) were considered. The sample will be increased by 20% to compensate for possible dropouts, resulting in 62 individuals in each group (overall sample = 124 participants). Therefore, 124 young adults, aged between 18 and 50 years, both sexes, with at least 24 teeth, with Class II or III skeletal malocclusion, diagnosed by cephalometric radiographs, who underwent orthognathic surgery in the period from 1 to 30 days before the start of physical therapy, be available to perform the proposed postoperative treatment for six weeks. Participants will be equally and randomly distributed into two experimental groups: GF (Physiotherapy Group), GFE (Physiotherapy plus Electroacupuncture Group). The variables to be studied will be: socioepidemiological data; sensitivity assessment by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test; Edema assessment by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Head and Neck Lymphedema protocol, validated in Portuguese; assessment of mandibular movements using a Western-DC digital caliper; Assessment of masticatory function using the Chewing Quality Assessment Questionnaire. Data will be analyzed descriptively and organized into tables. Subsequently, the normality of continuous variables will be tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. As the variables are normally distributed, we will use parametric tests such as the paired t test, independent t test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation. Nonparametric tests such as Wilcoxon paired signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Spearman correlation test will be used in case of non-normality of continuous variables. The significance level will be adjusted to 5% in all analyses.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
118

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • Ceará
      • Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, 60125-160
        • Clinic School of the University Center Estácio do Ceará

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 50 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and mentoplasty;
  • Aged between 18 and 50 years;
  • Both of genders,
  • Having at least 24 teeth, with Class II or III skeletal malocclusion;
  • Diagnosed by cephalometric radiographs, who have performed the surgery in the period from 1 to 45 days before the beginning of physiotherapy;
  • Be available to perform the proposed postoperative treatment at the Clinic School of Physiotherapy of the Estácio do Ceará University Center for six weeks;
  • Agree to participate in the research;
  • Sign the term of free and clear clarification.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with cleft lip or palate, previous orthopedic and/or rheumatologic diseases that may have repercussions on the face such as facial fractures, facial palsy, systemic lupus erythematosus, neurological alteration due to injury or compression of the facial or trigeminal nerve;
  • Patients with chronic lymphedema, individuals treated or undergoing cancer treatment, syndromic, with local vascular changes or who have undergone previous surgeries on the face such as bichectomy, TMJ surgery, with the exception of tooth extraction without associated nervous impairment, who performed other surgical procedures combined with orthognathic;
  • Patients who use botulinum toxin for the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction and esthetics;
  • Patients who presented postoperative complications such as infectious processes.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Physiotherapy plus Electroacupuncture Group
The physiotherapy treatment (50min): warm compress with facial thermal blanket, respiratory muscle mobility training and cervical muscle relaxation, facial lymphatic drainage, start of myolymphokinetic exercises for the orbicularis, zygomatic major and minor muscles, upper lip lifter and nose wing, buccinator and platysma, release of intraoral adhesions, vacuum therapy at 60 mmHg, active exercises free of mandibular movements, maintenance of mandibular opening with wooden tongue depressors. The electroacupuncture treatment lasting another 30 min. Electroacupuncture treatment lasting another 30min. The repetition time of 1 sec; (F1-10 Hz, F2= 45 Hz; 10 mA). Facial acupuncture needles are disposable with 0.20 mm gauge and 10 mm length. Each needle will be inserted at the indicated points, totaling 10 needles and electrodes will be connected to each one. Electrical stimulation will be performed on the face points: E4, Jiachengjiang (extra point), E5, E6, bilaterally and point CV-24.
Other: Physiotherapy and Electroacupuncture
TThe physiotherapy treatment (50min): warm compress with facial thermal blanket, respiratory muscle mobility training and cervical muscle relaxation, facial lymphatic drainage, start of myolymphokinetic exercises for the orbicularis, zygomatic major and minor muscles, upper lip lifter and nose wing, buccinator and platysma, release of intraoral adhesions, vacuum therapy at 60 mmHg, active exercises free of mandibular movements, maintenance of mandibular opening with wooden tongue depressors. The electroacupuncture treatment lasting another 30 min. Electroacupuncture treatment lasting another 30min. The repetition time of 1 sec; (F1-10 Hz, F2= 45 Hz; 10 mA). Facial acupuncture needles are disposable with 0.20 mm gauge and 10 mm length. Each needle will be inserted at the indicated points, totaling 10 needles and electrodes will be connected to each one. Electrical stimulation will be performed on the face points: E4, Jiachengjiang (extra point), E5, E6, bilaterally and point CV-24.
Active Comparator: Physiotherapy Group
The physiotherapy protocol will be the same as the active group. Protocol: warm compress with facial thermal blanket (5 min), respiratory muscle mobility training and cervical muscle relaxation (5 min) facial lymphatic drainage (10 min), start of myolyphokinetic exercises for the orbicularis oris, zygomatic major and minor, levator labii superioris and nasal ala, buccinator and platysma (5 min), release of intraoral adhesions (5 min) vacuum therapy at 60 mmHg (5 min), active exercises free of mandibular movements of right and left laterality, protrusion and mandibular opening (5 min), maintenance of mandibular opening with wooden tongue depressors (10 min).
Other: Physiotherapy
The physiotherapy treatment protocol will be divided into 6 meetings: warm compress with facial thermal blanket (5min), respiratory muscle mobility training and cervical muscle relaxation (5min) facial lymphatic drainage (10min), start of myolymphokinetic exercises for the orbicularis oris, zygomatic major and minor muscles, upper lip lifter and nose wing, buccinator and platysma (5 min), release of intraoral adhesions (5min) vacuum therapy at 60 mmHg (5min), active exercises free of mandibular movements (5 min), maintenance of mandibular opening with wooden tongue depressors (10min).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
sensitivity assessment
Time Frame: the sensitivity assessment at 6 months
Using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test
the sensitivity assessment at 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
measure range of motion
Time Frame: The range of motion at at 6 months
range of motion (measure with digital calipers)
The range of motion at at 6 months
measure edema
Time Frame: the edema assessment at 6 months
The edema will be measured with the aid of a measuring tape.
the edema assessment at 6 months
measure functionality
Time Frame: measure Functionality at 6 months
The functionality will be measured with Chewing Quality Assessment Questionnaire
measure Functionality at 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Nove de Julho

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Universidade Federal do Ceara

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Itana L Spinato, Universidade Federal do Ceara

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 10, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
February 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 2, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 30, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 4, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 27, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 30725720.7.0000.5054.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings