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. 2016 Jan;29(1):12-7.
doi: 10.3344/kjp.2016.29.1.12. Epub 2016 Jan 4.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Subjects with Myositis and Myofascial Pain

Seema Patil  1 , Asha R Iyengar  1 , Ramya Madhuri Kotni  1 , Subash B V  1 , Revan Kumar Joshi  1
Affiliations

Evaluation of Efficacy of Ultrasonography in the Assessment of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Subjects with Myositis and Myofascial Pain

Seema Patil et al. Korean J Pain. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to determine if ultrasonography of masseter can be used to evaluate the outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) such as myositis and myofascial pain.

Methods: Fifteen TMD subjects with myofascial pain/myositis who satisfied the RDC/McNeil criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were administered TENS therapy for a period of 6 days (30 minutes per session). The mouth opening (in millimeters) and severity of pain (visual analogue scale score) and ultrasonographic thickness of the masseter (in millimeters) in the region of trigger/tender areas was assessed in all the subjects both prior and post TENS therapy. A comparison of the pre-treatment and post-treatment values of the VAS score, mouth opening and masseter thickness was done with the help of a t-test.

Results: There was a significant reduction in the thickness of masseter muscle (P = 0.028) and VAS scores (P < 0.001) post TENS therapy. There was also a significant improvement in the mouth opening (P = 0.011) post TENS therapy.

Conclusions: In the present study, ultrasonography was found to be an effective measuring tool in the assessment of TENS therapy in subjects with myositis and myofascial pain.

Keywords: Mobility limitation; Myofascial pain; Temporomandibular Joint Diseases; Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation; Ultrasonography; Visual Analog Pain Scale.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Patient positioned in a semi-reclined position with the head turned to the side to be examined by ultrasonography.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Ultrasonographic image of the right and left masseter (pre TENS therapy) in a 20 year old male patient with myositis of the right side.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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