The effectiveness of different types of acupuncture to reduce symptoms and disability for patients with orofacial pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Disability and Rehabilitation
• Main Author: Mohamad N.; de Oliveira-Souza A.I.S.; de Castro-Carletti E.M.; Müggenborg F.; Dennett L.; McNeely M.L.; Armijo-Olivo S.
• Format: Review
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor and Francis Ltd. 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85185096217&doi=10.1080%2f09638288.2024.2310766&partnerID=40&md5=83859029791e183c2b8bea930678e718

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of different types of acupuncture in reducing pain, improving maximum mouth opening and jaw functions in adults with orofacial pain. Methods: Six databases were searched until 15 June 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and GRADE were employed to evaluate bias and overall evidence certainty. Results: Among 52 studies, 86.5% (n = 45) exhibited high risk of bias. Common acupoints, including Hegu LI 4, Jiache ST 6, and Xiaguan ST 7, were used primarily for patients with temporomandibular disorder [TMDs]. Meta-analyses indicated that acupuncture significantly reduced pain intensity in individuals with myogenous TMD (MD = 26.02 mm, I2=89%, p = 0.05), reduced tenderness in the medial pterygoid muscle (standardised mean differences [SMD] = 1.72, I2 = 0%, p < 0.00001) and jaw dysfunction (SMD = 1.62, I2 = 88%, p = 0.010) in mixed TMD when compared to sham/no treatment. However, the overall certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes as evaluated by GRADE. Conclusion: The overall results in this review should be interpreted with caution as there was a high risk of bias across the majority of randomized controlled trial (RCTs), and the overall certainty of the evidence was very low. Therefore, future studies with high-quality RCTs are warranted evaluating the use of acupuncture in patients with orofacial pain. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.