Comparison of the Effect of Drug Therapy and Physical Therapy on Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction Publisher



Mahjoobi Y ; Soltani S ; Torghabe AB ; Fattahi B ; Hosseini SAR
Source: Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Research Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Myofascial Pain Disorder (MPD), a prevalent subtype of Temporomandibular Disorders, presents with localized pain and functional limitations. While pharmacotherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are common interventions, their comparative effectiveness remains underexplored, particularly in regional contexts like Bojnourd, Iran, during 2020–2021. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 30 patients with MPD were randomized into two groups (n = 15 each): Group 1 received active TENS (100 Hz, 25mA, 30 minutes weekly for 4 weeks) plus placebo capsules; Group 2 received active medication (Naproxen 500mg and Diazepam 2mg twice daily for 10 days) plus sham TENS. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, 0–10) and maximum pain-free mouth opening (mm) were assessed at baseline, day 10, and 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANCOVA (α = 0.05). Results: TENS significantly outperformed pharmacotherapy in pain reduction (p < 0.001), with Group 1 achieving a 67.5% VAS reduction by day 10 versus 28.3% in Group 2. Both groups showed comparable improvements in mouth opening (p = 0.727). No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: High-frequency TENS provides faster and more substantial pain relief than pharmacotherapy in acute MPD, with equivalent functional outcomes. These findings support TENS as a first-line, non-invasive therapy for MPD, informing evidence-based practice in regional and global contexts. © 2026 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.