[Stabilizing splint versus relaxing appliances in the treatment of myofacial pain. Preliminary results of a prospective randomized study]

Abstract

Both stabilizing splints and relaxing appliances have been recommended for the treatment of myofacial pain. It was the goal of the present study to compare the therapeutic effect of these two types of appliances. 26 patients with myofacial pain, whose symptoms were not overshadowed by arthropathy and in whom previous physiotherapy had failed to bring about sufficient pain relief, were divided into two prospectively randomized groups. They received either a stabilizing splint or a relaxing appliance. The therapeutic effect was assessed with the aid of the patients' subjective reports and the Helkimo indices. In spite of the small number of patients the statistical evaluation of the results showed stabilizing splints to be significantly (p less than 0.03) superior to relaxing appliances in the treatment of myofacial pain.