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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Nov;24(11):4005-4018.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-020-03270-z. Epub 2020 May 19.

Effect of treatment with a full-occlusion biofeedback splint on sleep bruxism and TMD pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Alexander Bergmann  1   2 , Daniel Edelhoff  3 , Oliver Schubert  3 , Kurt-Jürgen Erdelt  3 , Jean-Marc Pho Duc  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of treatment with a full-occlusion biofeedback splint on sleep bruxism and TMD pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Alexander Bergmann et al. Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to analyze treatment outcome with a full-occlusion biofeedback (BFB) splint on sleep bruxism (SB) and TMD pain compared with treatment with an adjusted occlusal splint (AOS).

Materials and methods: Forty-one patients were randomly allocated to a test (BFB) or a control (AOS) group and monitored over a 3-month period. Output variables were frequency and duration of bruxing events (bursts) and various pain symptoms.

Results: The BFB group showed a statistically significant reduction in the frequency and duration of bursts and a statistically significant improvement in the patients' global well-being and the facial muscle pain parameter. After the treatment was stopped, the BFB group showed a statistically significant reduction in the average and maximum duration but no statistically significant change in the frequency of bursts.

Conclusions: The tested BFB splint is highly effective in reducing SB at the subconscious level, i.e., without waking the patient, and in achieving improvements in global pain perception. The results suggest that the BFB splint also provides a better treatment option for bruxism-related pain than an AOS. However, further research is needed, and specifically studies with a larger patient population displaying higher levels of pain at baseline.

Clinical relevance: By reducing burst duration and therefore the pathological load on the masticatory apparatus, the BFB splint reduces TMD and bruxism-related symptoms and improves patients' physical well-being. In the long term, this could prevent damage to the TMJ. This study confirms the effectiveness and safety of this splint.

The universal trial number: U1111-1239-2450 DRKS-ID REGISTRATION: DRKS00018092.

Keywords: Biofeedback/therapy; Occlusal splint; Sleep bruxism/therapy; Temporomandibular disorders; Vibration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT flowchart (Word)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Biofeedback splint (BFB)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Adjustable occlusal splint (AOS)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mean total duration per hour for the AOS group (adjustable occlusal splint), obtained during one night (average subject) (Excel)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean total duration per hour for the BFB group (biofeedback splint), obtained during one night (average subject) (Excel)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Box plots of the total duration per hour for all phases of the AOS group (adjustable occlusal splint, left) and the BFB group (biofeedback splint, right) (SPSS)
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Total duration per hour, BFB group (biofeedback splint) treatment, and recording periods (Excel)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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