Dry Needling Vs Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Management of Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

Comparative Study of Dry Needling Vs Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Management of Patient with Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome Using Electromyography and Visual Analogue Scale: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is the most common form of temporomandibular disorders. Because of the multifactorial nature of the problem, its management is still not definite. This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over dry needling for management of such condition.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Myofascial Pain - Dysfunction Syndrome of TMJ

Detailed Description

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a prevalent affliction among individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain issues. This condition is characterized by pain originating from the muscle and surrounding fascia. Patients typically exhibit localized pain in a confined region or referred pain with diverse patterns.

Additionally, physical examinations may reveal trigger points on the affected muscles. MPS can be categorized into acute and chronic forms. Acute MPS often resolves spontaneously or with uncomplicated treatments. However, chronic MPS typically has a poorer prognosis, and symptoms may persist for six months or more.

Dry needling involves the insertion of a solid filiform needle into a trigger point without the administration of any substance. Various theories have been put forth to explain the mechanisms by which dry needling alleviates pain . These include the "gate control" theory, modulation of endogenous opioids such as B-endorphin, encephalins, and dynorphins, disruption of central sensitization through activation of Aβ fibers resulting in inhibition of synaptic transmission between Aβ and C fibers and cells of the spinal cord dorsal horn due to their slower impulse conduction, and even placebo effects have been suggested . When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it may elicit a local twitch response. This reflexive contraction of the trigger point can also facilitate physiological changes, including the reduction of spontaneous electrical activity and the concentration of inflammatory and nociceptive chemicals, ultimately resulting in the relaxation of the trigger point.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is considered to be a highly secure and cost-effective modality for managing both chronic and acute pain. As per the gate control theory, TENS employs low voltage electrical pulses that are applied to the central nervous system. The modulation of pain perception induced by TENS is attributed to the recruitment of Aβ afferent fibers in the posterior horn of the spinal cord, which prevents the activation of pain conducted in thin fiber. Electrical stimulation effectively inhibits the transmission of painful impulses through the spinal cord and stimulates the release of endogenous opioids by the brain. Its safe, noninvasive, inexpensive and effective method of providing analgesia with reduced potential adverse effects compared to other treatment modalities.

In this research, we aim to evaluate TENS is a suitable treatment for MPDS patients, which would eliminate the need for another treatment modality. The expected benefit in this study is to find the best treatment for MPDS reducing pain, muscle stiffness and limited mouth opening.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Mostafa ElGengehy, PhD; Phone Number: +201221089223; Email: mostafa.elgengehe@dentistry.cu.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients complaining of pain in muscles of mastication lasting for three months or more.
2. Presence of trigger points in the temporalis, masseter or lateral pterygoid muscle identified by clinical examination and palpation.
3. Average pain severity of at least 4 on a 10-point scale
4. Pain in pre-auricular area, or in the ear during rest or function

Exclusion Criteria:

1. No previous tempro-mandibular joint (TMJ) surgical intervention
2. Patients with neurological disorders, coagulopathy, vascular disease autoimmune disease (systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), fibromyalgia
3. Pregnancy
4. Current opioid use
5. Intake of analgesics, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAID's and benzodiazepines,
6. Patients with severe trauma or infections in TMJ
7. Tempro-mandibular dysfunction (TMD) with joint origin (any type of internal derangement)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain	Using visual analogue scale (VAS) from (1-10) where 1 is the least pain and 10 is the maximum pain	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle stiffness	using Electromyography to measure muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve stimulation of the muscle (volt)	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Limitation in mouth openinig	Measuring muscle opening using digital caliber (Micrometer)	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Sleeping disorder	Assessing sleeping disorder through Yes or No questionnaire	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Anxiety	Assessing anxiety through Yes or No questionnaire	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months
Patient satisfaction	Assessing patient satisfaction through Yes or No questionnaire	From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cairo University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): December 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 31, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): September 4, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 4, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 31, 2024
• Last Verified: August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Nervous System Diseases; Disease; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Jaw Diseases; Craniomandibular Disorders; Mandibular Diseases; Syndrome; Fibromyalgia; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: OMFS333

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: lack of research ethics committee approval of secondary use of IPD

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No