Efectos de las técnicas de anclaje miofascial y energía muscular en pacientes con bruxismo

Abstract

Objectives

To compare the results obtained in the amplitude of vertical mouth opening (VMO), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and subjective pain perception with the visual analog scale (VAS) between the myofascial anchorage (MFA) and muscular energy (ME) techniques applied bilaterally to the masseter muscles.

Hypothesis

The MFA and ME techniques applied bilaterally to the masseter muscles in patients with bruxism will increase VMO and PPT and will reduce pain perception measured with the VAS.

Material and method

An experimental, randomized, blind study was performed. Measurements were taken of VMO, PPT and of pain perception using the VAS before the intervention and twice after the intervention by two independent, previously trained, blind evaluators. Measurements were taken by the digital algometer (Wagner, FDX50, USA) and caliber (Schwyz, China). The sample was composed of 76 patients with a diagnosis of bruxism, divided in 3 groups: group A, AMF (n = 26); group B, ME (n = 25); and group C, control group (n = 25).

Results

Group A (MFA) showed signifi cant changes in VMO (p = 0.03) and in the VAS (p = 0.001) but not in PPT (p > 0.05). Group B (ME) showed no statistically signifi cant changes in any of the three variables (p > 0.05). No changes were found in group C (control).

Conclusions

The MFA technique increases VMO and decreases pain perception in patients with bruxism. The ME technique produced no statistically signifi cant changes in the variables studied.