Lambers, Jochen

Aim: To study the therapeutic effect of the RelaxBogen device on sleep bruxism (SB) and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD)-related symptoms and pain of myogenic origin in a trial of RelaxBogen plus stabilization splint therapy (RB-SST) versus stabilization splint therapy alone (SST). Materials and methods: A single-blind, single-center randomized controlled trial of RB-SST versus SST (control) in 32 patients with SB and TMD symptoms, who were randomly assigned to treatment with either RB-SST or SST for a comparative efficacy analysis over a treatment duration of 8 weeks. All examinations were performed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) standards. Results: Analysis of Stelzenmüller’s Pain Location/Numeric Rating Scale Questionnaire (SL-NRS) responses and muscle palpation test findings revealed significant pain reduction in the jaw elevator muscles in the RB-SST group compared with the SST (control) group. The RB-SST patients also had less pain on mouth opening. Furthermore, the RelaxBogen device had a mitigating effect on headache in association with muscular TMD symptoms, commonly described as tension headache. Keywords: temporomandibular dysfunction, bruxism, jaw, headache, fascia, RelaxBogen, CMD, TMD, myalgia

Patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) are often affected by muscular symptoms. In recent years, scientific opinion has frequently recommended collaboration with physiotherapists for TMD patients. The RelaxBogen was the result of such interdisciplinary collaboration between dentists and physiotherapists. It imitates a specific form of relaxation technique - based on the myofascial release technique - for the masseter and temporal muscles. This article describes two cases from a pilot study. The case studies were presented by the author as a lecture entitled "The RelaxBogen, a new method of treatment for bruxism and TMD - a pilot study" at the 2016 Annual Conference of the DGFDT. They demonstrate the possibilities offered by the RelaxBogen for treating myogenic TMD and headaches. After 3 months of wearing the device, patients reported considerably reduced headaches and pain on palpation. Apart from a reduction in the general pain level, pain reduction was also documented in the head/jaw, cervical spine, and neck areas. Keywords: TMD, bruxism, myalgia, headaches, myofascial pain