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.
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Comparative Study
Pain and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system among dentists.
The dentists in the Public Dental Service were found to have a high prevalence of pain and discomfort in the locomotor system. Only 60 (17%) dentists reported no pain or discomfort in the study in 1987. Of 359 dentists 72 per cent reported headache and pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders. ⋯ It can be concluded that pain and discomfort in the locomotor system among dentists had a high incidence. The high incidence among dentists could not be explained by the ergonomic risk factors such as positioning of the patient, use of the mirror or alteration of the dentist's position. Regression analysis showed that personal harmony and age had the highest value for explaining the number of painful sites in the musculoskeletal system.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Electromyography and bite force studies of muscular function and dysfunction in masticatory muscles.
Electromyographic (EMG) activity versus bite force was studied during a gradually increased isometric contraction up to maximal effort for patients with painful masseter muscles and referents. The masseter muscle, the anterior temporal muscle and the descending part of the trapezius muscle were chosen for the recordings. Bite force was registered with a bite force sensor placed between the first molars. ⋯ The amplitude probability distribution analysis revealed that the patients used greater relative masticatory forces than the referents during the chewing of an almond for all probability levels analysed below the peak load of the masseter muscles. Rough estimates of the peak masticatory forces in Newton (N) were for chewing an almond 364 N (referents); 373 N (patients) and for gum-chewing 239 N (referents); 238 N (patients) as regards the masseter muscle. The values were similar for the anterior temporal muscle.