Objective

2

To explore the efficacy differences among different acupuncture frequencies for pain of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Methods

2

A total of 42 patients with TMD pain were randomly divided into a low-frequency group

a medium-frequency group

and a high-frequency group

with 14 patients in each group. All groups received acupuncture treatment at bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Yanglingquan (GB34)

as well as ipsilateral Tinggong (SI19)

Jiache (ST6)

and Xiaguan (ST7)

with each session lasting 30 minutes. The low-frequency group received acupuncture once per week

the medium-frequency group received acupuncture twice per week

and the high-frequency group received acupuncture three times per week

for a total duration of four weeks. The graded chronic pain scale (GCPS) score

visual analogue scale (VAS) score

jaw functional limitation scale-20 (JFLS-20) score

and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed in the three groups before and after treatment

as well as at the four-week follow-up after treatment completion.

Results

2

Compared before treatment

GCPS and JFLS-20 scores were significantly decreased in all the groups after treatment (

P

<

0.05)

and VAS scores were significantly decreased in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (

P

<

0.05)

PPT values at different measurement sites were increased significantly in the high-frequency group (

P

<

0.05). After treatment

GCPS

JFLS-20

and VAS scores in the high-frequency group were lowe

r than those in the medium-frequency and low-frequency groups (

P

<

0.05)

while some PPT values were higher than the other two groups (

P

<

0.05). At follow-up

GCPS

JFLS-20

and VAS scores remained significantly lower in all the groups compared to baseline (

P

<

0.05)

PPT values were increased significantly in the high-frequency and medium-frequency groups (

P

<

0.05)

with the high-frequency group showing lower GCPS

JFLS-20

and VAS scores and higher PPT values compared to the other two groups (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

Acupuncture three times per week is more effective in reducing TMD pain intensity compared to once or twice per week

and can also alleviate some mandibular functional impairments. The therapeutic effects persist for at least four weeks after treatment completion.