Acupuncture and Temporomandibular Disorders: A 3-Month Follow-up EMG Study

作者：Rancan Sandra Valeria; Bataglion Cesar; Bataglion Solange Aparecida; Rego Bechara Odine Maria; Semprini Marisa; Siessere Selma; Machado de Sousa Joao Paulo; de Souza Crippa Jose Alexandre; Cecilio Hallak Jaime Eduardo; Hallak Regalo Simone Cecilio

来源：Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009, 15(12): 1307-1310.

DOI：10.1089/acm.2009.0015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of electromyographic (EMG) activation and maximal molar bite force before and after a 3-month acupuncture therapy in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (Helkimo Index) from a pool of subjects attending the Special Care Course of the Ribeirao Preto Dental School, Sao Paulo University, Brazil.
Design: All 17 patients, aged between 37 and 50 years (44.2 +/- 4.84 years), with an average weight of 71 +/- 9.45 kg and height of 1.64 +/- 0.07 m, were clinically examined with regard to pain and dysfunctions of the masticatory system. The temporomandibular acupuncture points of needling were IG4, E6, E7, B2, VB14, VB20, ID18, ID19, F3, E36, VB34, E44, R3, and HN3. EMG measures were acquired before and after the treatment using a MyoSystem-BR1 electromyographer. The data collected at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching were normalized by maximum voluntary contraction. Maximal bite force in right and left molar regions were registered using a dynamometer with a capacity of up to 1000 N, adapted for oral conditions. The highest value out of three recordings was considered to be the individual's maximal bite force. The results were statistically analyzed using the paired t test (SPSS version 15.0) during the comparison before and after treatment.
Results: We found decreased EMG activity at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching; as well as increased values of maximal bite force after acupuncture treatment.
Conclusions: Acupuncture promoted alterations in the EMG activity of masticatory muscles, increased maximal molar bite force, and led to remission of the subjects' painful symptomatology.

• 出版日期2009-12