5.2. Study Design and Subjects
mandibular trauma, TrPs, bleeding, myalgia, dentofacial deformities, temporomandibular disorder, PNE, TrP, chronic neuromuscular diseases, odontogenic infections, migraine, depressive disorders
BLEEDING, TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDER, MAY, METABOLIC DISORDERS, MIGRAINE, TENSION HEADACHES
We conducted a single-center, randomized clinical trial between June 2018 and May 2019. The study cases were patients of both sexes, aged between 18 and 65 years, who were referred to the temporomandibular disorder outpatient clinic of our department. The inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of a localized MM of more than one year of evolution in the temporomandibular area and the presence of at least one active TrP located in the masticatory musculature. Individuals with one or more of the following conditions were excluded: inflammatory processes at the injection site; concomitant treatment with aminoglycosides or quinolones; pregnancy; lactation; dentofacial deformities; previous mandibular trauma; chronic neuromuscular diseases; an increased risk of bleeding; migraine or tension headaches; odontogenic infections; fibromyalgia syndrome; uncontrolled metabolic disorders; or significant depressive disorders. Examination of the masticatory muscles centered on the temporalis, masseter, and lateral pterygoid muscles bilaterally, combining pressing, sliding and pinching movements to detect the presence of TrPs and areas of myalgia, according to the technique already known and described previously [Patients with chronic MM were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received a BTA injection (BTA group) and group 2 received percutaneous electrolysis (PNE group) applied using a specific EpimedicalThe protocol was the same in the two groups (