Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog

A recent discussion to determine the short-term effectiveness of a stabilization appliance with a prefabricated occlusal appliance in myofascial pain patients in a randomized controlled trial. The main treatment outcome in the groups tested was a positive improvement in overall symptoms without any statistically significant differences between the groups at either 6 to 10 weeks. At the 6 week follow-up, 72% of all the patients reported a 50% reduction of the worst pain, whereas at the 10 week follow-up, the percentages were 69% and 61%, respectively. According to the verbal scale, 85% of all patients reported themselves to be "better", "much better", or "symptom-free"at the 6 week follow-up, and 83% reported this at the 10 week follow-up. The effectiveness of the prefabricated occlusal appliance seemed to be the same as that of the stabilization appliance. The prefabricated appliance can therefore be recommended as a short-term therapy in adult patients with myofascial pain.