IADR Abstract Archives
Effectiveness of Ointments on Temporalis Muscle Pain
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using Ping-On ointment, vaseline with menthol and colored vaseline in the management of the anterior temporalis muscle pain in order to establish the efficacy of Ping-On ointment.
Methods: In this randomized, doubled-blinked, placebo-controlled trial, 30 female patients (mean age 27.1±13.43) with headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders (Group II according to the Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD)) received Ping-On ointment, Vaseline/menthol in a proportion of 20/1, or colored Vaseline for 8 weeks. Right and left anterior temporalis muscles were evaluated with standard measures of efficacy: a) asking for pain intensity at the temples measured by visual analogue (VAS), b) anterior temporalis pain threshold obtained under pressure with an algometer (Somedic), and c) anterior temporalis muscle maximal tolerable pain obtained under pressure. All measurements were performed at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), and 8 weeks (T2) of treatment. Kruskall-Wallis and Anova test were performed.
Results: Regarding VAS, all topical applications reduced the perception of pain at the temples and there were not significant differences between groups at T0, T1 and T2 (P>0,2). Regarding pressure applied with the algometer on anterior temporalis muscles, at T0 there were no differences between groups (P>0.05), and at T2 only Ping-On and Vaseline with menthol increased pain threshold and maximal tolerance to pain compared with the colored Vaseline. (P<0.05). Pain threshold and maximal tolerance to pain was higher with Ping-on compared with Vaseline/Menthol (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Ping-on is effective in the management of the anterior temporalis muscle pain. The application of ointments with menthol smells generates an increase on threshold and maximal tolerance to pain under pressure. Placebo effect and smell neurophysiological activity should be discussed.
Methods: In this randomized, doubled-blinked, placebo-controlled trial, 30 female patients (mean age 27.1±13.43) with headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders (Group II according to the Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD)) received Ping-On ointment, Vaseline/menthol in a proportion of 20/1, or colored Vaseline for 8 weeks. Right and left anterior temporalis muscles were evaluated with standard measures of efficacy: a) asking for pain intensity at the temples measured by visual analogue (VAS), b) anterior temporalis pain threshold obtained under pressure with an algometer (Somedic), and c) anterior temporalis muscle maximal tolerable pain obtained under pressure. All measurements were performed at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T1), and 8 weeks (T2) of treatment. Kruskall-Wallis and Anova test were performed.
Results: Regarding VAS, all topical applications reduced the perception of pain at the temples and there were not significant differences between groups at T0, T1 and T2 (P>0,2). Regarding pressure applied with the algometer on anterior temporalis muscles, at T0 there were no differences between groups (P>0.05), and at T2 only Ping-On and Vaseline with menthol increased pain threshold and maximal tolerance to pain compared with the colored Vaseline. (P<0.05). Pain threshold and maximal tolerance to pain was higher with Ping-on compared with Vaseline/Menthol (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Ping-on is effective in the management of the anterior temporalis muscle pain. The application of ointments with menthol smells generates an increase on threshold and maximal tolerance to pain under pressure. Placebo effect and smell neurophysiological activity should be discussed.