TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRIC NERVE STIMULATION THERAPY IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS- A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Temporomandibulardisordercharacterizes a varied group of pathologies affecting temporomandibularjoints, masticatory muscles, or both.The treatment of temporomandibular disorders is a major challenge because of its varied causes and structures involved and also because the functioning of one joint is always dependent on the other. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation is a non-pharmacological method of pain control and recently it is gaining importance in treatment of temporomandibulardisorders. Hence this study was undertaken to analyze the effect of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on pain due to temporomandibular disorders and to compare the efficacy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation treatment over other treatments available for the same.Electronic search for articles published in various journals were undertaken through various search engines from 2020-2022. 9 randomized control trials of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy performed on temporomandibular disorder patients were selected for analysis. The efficacy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy was compared with conventional therapy [muscle relaxant+ analgesic], low level laser therapy,Microcurrent Nerve Stimulation therapy, Physiotherapy, and Placebo therapy.Results of selected study conclude that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy is superior to all other treatment modalities included in the study in the treatment of pain due to temporomandibular disorders. Maximum reduction in pain was obtained in combination therapy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation with muscle relaxant, hot fermentation, and soft diet.Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation along with medication proved to be highly effective in treating pain due to temporomandibular disorders.