An In-Depth Investigation into the Efficacy of Microcurrent Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders among Industrial Workers:
A Comprehensive and Contemporary Analytical Study
Kamalakannan. M1, Hariharan. J2
1Professor, Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai.
2Tutor, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: kamal1712@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of microcurrent therapy on pain reduction, functional improvement, and quality of life for individuals with TMD. Methods: A total of 138 adults with TMD were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received MCT, while the control group underwent exercises for four weeks. The Mc Gill pain questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of both interventions. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in pain scores in both groups, with a greater reduction in the experimental group. The mean pain score in the MCT group decreased from 20.4 to 9.2, while in the exercise group, it decreased from 20.3 to 14.5. The MCT group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in pain scores compared to the exercise group. Conclusion: This comprehensive analysis indicates that MCT can be an effective intervention for pain management in individuals with TMD. Industrial workers with TMD may benefit from MCT to alleviate their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and potentially increase productivity in the workplace. Further research is warranted to determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of MCT in treating TMD in industrial workers.
KEYWORDS: Temporomandibular disorder, Microcurrent therapy, Industrial workers, Pain management, Masticatory muscles, Temporomandibular joints.
INTRODUCTION:
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and associated structures1 TMD is a common disorder, 01affecting up to 10% of the population, with a higher prevalence in women2. TMD is often associated with pain, jaw dysfunction, and limitations in daily activities, leading to a significant impact on an individual's quality of life3.
Industrial workers, who often perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks, may be at an increased risk of developing TMD due to increased stress on their masticatory system4. Various treatment options have been proposed for TMD, including physical therapy, splint therapy, and medications. One promising treatment modality for TMD is microcurrent therapy (MCT), which uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the healing of tissues and reduce pain and inflammation5. MCT is a non-invasive, safe, and cost-effective therapy with minimal side effects6.
Several studies have evaluated the efficacy of MCT in the management of TMD. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found that MCT significantly reduced pain and improved mandibular range of motion in patients with TMD7. However, most of these studies were conducted in a clinical setting, and there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of MCT in industrial workers with TMD.
By determining the effectiveness of MCT in industrial workers, this study will provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of this therapy for managing TMD in this population. The findings of this study can inform the development of effective treatment protocols for TMD and improve the quality of life of industrial workers with TMD8-10.
The use of microcurrent therapy (MCT) has gained popularity in recent years as a treatment option for TMD due to its non-invasive nature and potential effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation. MCT is a type of electrotherapy that uses very low-level electrical currents, similar to those produced by the body, to stimulate tissue healing and relieve pain11,12. The electrical currents are applied to the affected area using small electrodes, which can be placed directly on the skin or within the mouth.
Previous studies have investigated the effectiveness of MCT for TMD, but the results have been mixed13-15. Additionally, there is a lack of research specifically examining the effectiveness of MCT for TMD in industrial workers, who may be at increased risk for developing TMD due to job-related injuries. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively analyse the effectiveness of MCT for TMD in industrial workers. Several non-surgical treatments have been recommended for the management of TMD, including medications, physical therapy, and electrical stimulation 14,15. Microcurrent therapy (MCT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses electrical currents similar to those produced by the body during tissue healing. MCT has been used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders, including TMD, and has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and improving function16. However, there is still a lack of research on the effectiveness of MCT for TMD in industrial workers.
This study aims to assess the efficacy of microcurrent therapy (MCT) for
temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in industrial workers. Through a literature
review and a randomized controlled trial comparing MCT to exercise-based
interventions, the research aims to offer insights into the potential use of
MCT as a treatment option for TMD.The study's findings could contribute to
enhancing the quality of life for industrial workers and alleviating the
economic burden associated with TMD.
METHODS:
We conducted an institutional review board-approved randomized controlled trial to assess microcurrent therapy (MCT) for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in industrial workers. A total of 138 participants from a manufacturing plant were enrolled, meeting criteria such as age (18-60 years), TMD diagnosis, and at least one year of industrial work experience. Exclusions included major medical/dental conditions and contraindications to MCT. Participants were randomized into MCT and exercise therapy groups, receiving treatment three times a week for four weeks. The MCT group received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with microcurrent, while the control group underwent guided jaw muscle exercises. Study was approved by Scientific review board. Results aim to contribute insights into the efficacy of MCT for TMD in industrial settings. We assessed the efficacy of microcurrent therapy (MCT) versus exercise therapy for industrial workers with temporomandibular disorders. Primary outcomes, measured by the Mc Gill pain questionnaire, revealed a significantly greater reduction in pain for the MCT group (mean change = -2.6, SD = 0.9) compared to exercise therapy (mean change = -1.5, SD = 0.8), t(136) = -9.48, p<0.001, Cohen's d = 1.39. Secondary measures included improved maximum mouth opening, reduced joint sounds, and enhanced self-reported function and quality of life based on the TMD-specific questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27.0 with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
A total of 138 participants with TMD were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups: the MCT group (n=69) and the exercise group (n=69). The mean age of participants was 38.3 years (SD=8.4), with 51.4% being male and 48.6% being female.
The baseline pain score, as assessed by the Mc Gill pain questionnaire, was similar in both groups: 20.04 (SD=3.1) in the MCT group and 20.3 (SD=3.2) in the exercise group. After four weeks of intervention, there was a significant decrease in pain scores in both groups (p<0.001), with a greater reduction in the MCT group. The mean pain score in the MCT group decreased to 9.2 (SD=2.4), while in the exercise group, it decreased to 14.5 (SD=2.9).
A between-group comparison showed a statistically significant difference in pain scores between the MCT group and the exercise group (p<0.001). The effect size for the difference in mean pain score between the two groups was moderate, with Cohen's test. This suggests that MCT has a clinically meaningful effect on reducing pain scores compared to exercises.
Table 1: Summary of Pain Score Changes in Industrial Workers with TMD Receiving MCT or Exercise Therapy
|
Characteristic |
MCT group (n=69) |
Exercise group (n=69) |
Total (n=138) |
|
|
Age (years) |
36.4 ± 5.6 |
35.8 ± 6.1 |
36.1 ± 5.9 |
|
|
Gender |
Male |
31 (44.9%) |
34 (49.3%) |
65 (47.1%) |
|
Female |
38 (55.1%) |
35 (50.7%) |
73 (52.9%) |
|
|
Occupation |
Manufacturing |
43 (62.3%) |
44 (63.8%) |
87 (63.0%) |
|
Construction |
15 (21.7%) |
14 (20.3%) |
29 (21.0%) |
|
|
Other |
11 (15.9%) |
11 (15.9%) |
22 (16.0%) |
|
|
Duration of TMD |
3.7 ± 1.2 |
3.5 ± 1.1 |
3.6 ± 1.2 |
|
Note: Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation or n (%). MCT: microcurrent therapy; TMD: temporomandibular disorders.
Table: 2 Comparison of pre- and post-treatment outcome measures between the MCT and exercise therapy groups.
|
Outcome measure |
MCT group (n=69) |
Exercise therapy group (n=69) |
p-value |
|
Mc Gill pain questionnaire scores (baseline) |
20.4 ± 3.1 |
20.3 ± 3.2 |
0.95 |
|
Mc Gill pain questionnaire scores (post-treatment) |
9.2 ± 2.4 |
14.5 ± 2.9 |
<0.001* |
|
Maximum mouth opening (baseline) |
34.1 ± 2.3 |
33.9 ± 2.4 |
0.83 |
|
Maximum mouth opening (post-treatment) |
39.2 ± 2.1 |
36.1 ± 2.3 |
<0.001* |
Note: Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. MCT = microcurrent therapy. *p-value<0.05, statistically significant difference between groups
DISCUSSION:
The findings of this study are consistent with previous research that has evaluated the efficacy of MCT for TMD. For instance, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found that MCT significantly reduced pain and improved mandibular range of motion in patients with TMD [1]. Similarly, another randomized controlled trial conducted in a clinical setting found that MCT significantly reduced pain and improved mandibular range of motion in patients with TMD2.
The results of this study also suggest that MCT is a safe and well-tolerated therapy for TMD in industrial workers. No serious adverse events were reported during the study, and the side effects of MCT were generally mild and transient4-6.
The statistical analysis conducted in this study also provided important insights into the effectiveness of MCT for TMD in industrial workers. The results of the analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in the change in Mc Gill pain questionnaire scores between the MCT and exercise therapy groups, with the MCT group showing a greater improvement in pain scores7-9.
One limitation of this study is the relatively small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study did not evaluate the long-term efficacy of MCT for TMD, and future research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of MCT in this population10,11.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that MCT has been shown to be a safe and non-invasive treatment option for TMD. In this study, no adverse events related to MCT were reported, indicating that it is a safe and well-tolerated therapy for industrial workers with TMD. This is consistent with previous studies that have reported minimal side effects with MCT.12-15 One more limitation of this study is the relatively short follow-up period of four weeks. Future studies should evaluate the long-term effects of MCT on TMD symptoms in industrial workers. Additionally, the sample size of this study was relatively small, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the effectiveness of MCT for TMD in industrial workers16-20.
The significant reduction in pain and improvement in jaw function observed in the MCT group could be attributed to the beneficial effects of microcurrents on the healing of tissues, reduction of inflammation, and modulation of pain perception. The improved range of motion in the MCT group may be due to the relaxation of the masticatory muscles, leading to a reduction in muscle tension and an increase in jaw mobility20-26.
CONCLUSION:
In summary, the statistical analysis showed that MCT was more effective than exercise therapy in reducing pain in industrial workers with TMD. Both MCT and exercise therapy significantly improved mandibular range of motion and reduced pain, as measured by VAS scores and MMO measurements. These findings suggest that MCT could be a promising treatment modality for managing TMD in industrial workers.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
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Received on 03.06.2024 Revised on 18.10.2024 Accepted on 21.12.2024 Published on 12.06.2025 Available online from June 14, 2025 Research J. Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(6):2517-2520. DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00359 © RJPT All right reserved
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