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Clinical Oral Investigations

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01-01-2017 | Original Article

The use of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in chronic facial myalgia patients

Authors: Ilaria De Giorgi, Tommaso Castroflorio, Barbara Sartoris, Andrea Deregibus

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional TENS in women affected by chronic facial myalgia.

Materials and methods

The study was performed on 49 women affected by chronic facial myalgia randomly allocated in the TENS group (34 women) and the control group (15 women). The subjective level of pain was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale indicating the mean (VAS MEAN), the maximum (VAS MAX) and the current intensity of pain (VAS NOW). The level of pain at the muscular palpation sites was assessed by the Pericranial Muscle Tenderness Score (PTS) and the Cervical Muscle Tenderness Score (CTS).

The TENS therapy lasted for 10 weeks, and data were collected at baseline, after 5, 10, 15 and 25 weeks. The differences between groups before and after treatment were compared with the Mann-Whitney and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. The intra-group differences were compared with the one-way ANOVA test.

Results

The results showed that the VAS MEAN, VAS MAX, PTS and CTS were significantly reduced in the TENS group compared to the control group after 10 weeks of TENS (p < 0.05). The intra-group analysis revealed a decreasing tendency of VAS MEAN, VAS MAX, VAS NOW, PTS and CTS in the TENS group in a 25-week period (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The study demonstrated the efficacy of conventional TENS in patients with chronic facial myalgia and the decrease in both subjective and objective pain.

Clinical relevance

Conventional TENS is a safe, non-invasive, easy-to-administer therapy for chronic facial myalgia.

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Title: The use of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in chronic facial myalgia patients
Authors: Ilaria De Giorgi
Tommaso Castroflorio
Barbara Sartoris
Andrea Deregibus
Publication date: 01-01-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-016-1787-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The use of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in chronic facial myalgia patients

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

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