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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013;144(10):1154-63.
doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0034.

A pilot study of a chiropractic intervention for management of chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder

James W DeVocht  1 , Christine M Goertz, Maria A Hondras, Cynthia R Long, Wally Schaeffer, Lauren Thomann, Michael Spector, Clark M Stanford
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A pilot study of a chiropractic intervention for management of chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder

James W DeVocht et al. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013.

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular pain has multiple etiologies and a range of therapeutic options. In this pilot study, the authors assessed the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to evaluate chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Methods: The authors assigned 80 participants randomly into one of the following four groups, all of which included a comprehensive self-care program: reversible interocclusal splint therapy (RIST), Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (AMCT) (Activator Methods International, Phoenix), sham AMCT and self-care only. They made assessments at baseline and at month 2 and month 6, including use of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders.

Results: The authors screened 721 potential participants and enrolled 80 people; 52 participants completed the six-month assessment. The adjusted mean change in current pain over six months, as assessed on the 11-point numerical rating scale, was 2.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.1-3.0) for RIST, 1.7 (0.9-2.5) for self-care only, 1.5 (0.7-2.4) for AMCT and 1.6 (0.7-2.5) for sham AMCT. The authors also assessed bothersomeness and functionality.

Conclusions: The authors found the study design and methodology to be manageable. They gained substantial knowledge to aid in conducting a larger study. AMCT, RIST and self-care should be evaluated in a future comparative effectiveness study.

Practical implications: This pilot study was a necessary step to prepare for a larger study that will provide clinicians with information that should be helpful when discussing treatment options for patients with TMD.

Keywords: Oral Health Impact Profile; Temporomandibular disorder; chiropractic; chronic pain; randomized controlled trial.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Flow diagram of screening, enrollment and follow-up of participants through six months. AMCT: Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (Activator Methods International, Phoenix). RIST: Reversible interocclusal splint therapy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Questioning chiropractics.
    Digregorio CJ. Digregorio CJ. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014 Feb;145(2):127. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8177(14)60211-7. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014. PMID: 24487601 No abstract available.
  • More about chiropractics.
    Dodes JE. Dodes JE. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014 Feb;145(2):127. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8177(14)60212-9. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014. PMID: 24487602 No abstract available.
  • Response from the JADA Editor and the Associate Editor, Research.
    Glick M, Pihlstrom BL. Glick M, et al. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014 Feb;145(2):127-8. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8177(14)60213-0. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014. PMID: 24487603 No abstract available.

References

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