Swedish dental journal. Supplement
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Acupuncture in the treatment of patients with craniomandibular disorders. Comparative, longitudinal and methodological studies.
The aim of the thesis was to compare the short- and long-term effects of acupuncture and occlusal splint therapy in patients with craniomandibular disorders (CMD). One hundred and ten patients, 23 males and 87 females, participated in the study. All patients exhibited moderate or severe signs and symptoms of CMD and had had pain for more than six months. ⋯ The algometer was sensitive enough to detect pre- and post-treatment changes. A statistically significant reduction in tenderness was found immediately after and at the 6-month follow-up for both treatment modes. This series of studies showed that acupuncture gave positive results similar to those of occlusal splint therapy in patients with primarily myogenic CMD symptoms over a 1-year period.