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Auriculotemporal Nerve Block in TMJ Disorders

The Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Auriculotemporal Nerve Block In Temporomandibular Disorders

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04827784
Enrollment
22
Registered
2021-04-01
Start date
2020-01-15
Completion date
2020-12-07
Last updated
2021-04-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, Arthralgia of TMJ

Keywords

Auriculotemporal nerve block, Temporomandibular disorders, Physiotherapy, Anesthesia, Local

Brief summary

The retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Auriculotemporal Nerve Block (ATNB) in achieving unrestricted mouth opening amount and in reducing the pain scores in those patients diagnosed with disc displacement with (DDWR) and without reduction (DDWOR) according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, who could not benefit from noninvasive methods but did not want further invasion.

Detailed description

The records of 410 patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with TMD symptoms were reviewed to determine the treatment modalities used and their outcomes. The subjects were examined and diagnosed according to the Turkish translation version of The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD-Axis 1 questionnaire and examination form). The pain intensity, maximal mouth opening (MMO) amounts, and self-reported outcome variables of twenty-two patients who underwent non-invasive therapies (occlusal stabilization splints, behavioral modifications, physical therapy, pharmacotherapy) but did not benefit from them and volunteered for the ATNB instead of invasive therapies (arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and discectomy) were also evaluated. Prior to the ATNB, written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Also, each participant was warned about complications of the ATNB before the administration, such as hematoma at the injection site, positive aspiration, and temporary anesthesia of the facial nerve.

Interventions

The head and neck of the condyle were detected by palpating the pretragal area. Then, the needle was inserted anterior to the junction of the tragus and the lobule. After 0.5 ml the solution was subcutaneously infiltrated, the needle was protruded until it touched the neck of the condyle. Aspiration was performed to avoid intravenous injections, and the remaining solution was injected thereafter.

Sponsors

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Participants whose Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-related complaints continued despite occlusal stabilization splint, NSAIDs and centrally acting muscle relaxant treatments were administered a total of 3 doses of Auriculotemporal Nerve Block (ATNB).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Underwent non-invasive therapies (occlusal stabilization splints, behavioral modifications, physical therapy, pharmacotherapy) but did not benefit from them and volunteered for the ATNB instead of invasive therapies (arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, and discectomy).

Exclusion criteria

Patients with * Symptoms of the diseases possibly related to TMD (e.g., fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis) * Orofacial disorders that might have been responsible for the TMD symptoms (e.g., neuralgia, migraine, myositis, trauma, neuropathic pain, infections) * Complications due to ATNB (e.g., temporary facial nerve palsy, hematoma, positive aspiration) * History of invasive therapies or TMJ surgeries

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Baseline Pain IntensityAt the initial visit before starting anesthetic administration.Pain intensity was measured using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), in which 0 referred to 'no pain', 5 referred to 'moderate pain,' and 10 referred to 'excruciating pain'. The patients were asked to mark their pain intensities on VAS scale.
Post-injection Pain IntensityAt six months follow-up visitPain intensity was measured using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS), in which 0 referred to 'no pain', 5 referred to 'moderate pain,' and 10 referred to 'excruciating pain'. The patients were asked to mark their pain intensities on VAS scale.
Change From Baseline Maximal Mouth Opening on Post-Injection Follow Up VisitsAt the first week, fourth week and sixth month.All patients' maximal mouth opening were measured and recorded as the distance between upper and lower right central incisors.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Overall Satisfaction With The Applied TreatmentAt the six-month follow-up visitPatients were asked dichotomously to define the ATNB as successful/unsuccessful, according to their experience. The patients' responses were recorded individually.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026