A clinical trial: Aqualizer ™ therapy and its effects on myopathies or temporomandibular dysfunctions. Part I: Objective parameters.

OBJECTIVE:Symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) may include pain in the muscles or restrictions opening the mouth. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of initial Aqualizer™ therapy. METHODS:Group 1 received initial Aqualizer™ therapy before definitive hard splint; Group 2 received no initial therapy. Patients with arthrosis, partial/total prosthesis or undergoing splint therapy were excluded. Objective (temporomandibular joint palpation, temporomandibular joint auscultation, palpation of the chewing muscles, and mobility of the lower jaw) parameters were evaluated. The level of statistical significance was 5% (p < 0.05). RESULTS:In 53 patients (Group 1 n = 25; Group 2 n = 28), a significant improvement (p < 0.001) was found in Group 1 in pain on palpation (masseter muscle, temporal muscle, post-mandibular region, lateral pterygoid muscle, and suboccipital region), but no significant differences in jaw mobility were found. CONCLUSION:Aqualizer™ therapy produces significant improvement of primary symptoms.