Efeito da massoterapia e da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea na dor e atividade eletromiográfica de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effect of two physical therapy resources in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) – massage therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on masseter and temporal muscles – in view of reducing painful sensitivity response in TMD patients. Twenty female volunteers with myogenous TMD signs and symptoms were randomly divided into two groups (n-10): group 1 was submitted to one session of massage on the face, and group 2 received TENS on the face. Before and after the treatment, volunteers underwent an electromyographic exam in isotonic and isometric contractions of masseter and temporal muscles, and answered the Visual Analog Scale of pain (VAS). Results show that the muscles examined had greater electromyographic activity (p=0.02) after the session in both groups, pointing to improvement in muscle contraction pattern; and a reduction in VAS scores (p<0.01). Both therapeutic resources were thus found to be equally effective in reducing pain sensitivity in TMD patients.