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BMC Oral Health

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Efficacy of acupuncture and laser acupuncture in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Fabrizio Di Francesco, Giuseppe Minervini, Yuliia Siurkel, Marco Cicciù, Alessandro Lanza

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the scientific literature regarding the use of acupuncture and laser acupuncture in the treatment of pain associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The aim of this article was to assess the clinical evidence for acupuncture and laser acupuncture therapies as treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Materials and methods

This systematic review includes randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and laser acupuncture as a treatment for TMD compared to other treatments. Systematic searches were conducted in 3 electronic databases up to July 2023; PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases. All RCTs of acupuncture for TMD were searched without language restrictions. Studies in which no clinical data and complex interventions were excluded. The Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2) tool was employed to analyze randomized controlled trials. A Meta-analysis was performed in order to investigate a quantitative analysis comparing acupuncture and laser acupuncture to placebo.

Results

A total of 11 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The findings show that acupuncture is short-term helpful for reducing the severity of TMD pain with muscle origin. Meta-analysis revealed that the Acupuncture group and Laser Acupuncture group had a higher efficacy rate than the Placebo control group, showing a high efficacy of Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture group in the treatment of temporomandibular.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our systematic review demonstrate that the evidence for acupuncture as a symptomatic treatment of TMD is limited. Further rigorous studies are, however, required to establish beyond doubt whether acupuncture has therapeutic value for this indication. However high efficacy of Laser Acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders was reported.

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Title: Efficacy of acupuncture and laser acupuncture in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Fabrizio Di Francesco
Giuseppe Minervini
Yuliia Siurkel
Marco Cicciù
Alessandro Lanza
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03806-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Efficacy of acupuncture and laser acupuncture in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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