EMG Biofeedback Shows Promise as a Tool for Studying and Treating Pain in TMD Patients

Newswise — A new study in Biofeedback indicates that EMG biofeedback can be used as an experimental tool for creating behavioral and psychological states. Alan G. Glaros, PhD, the author of the study, discusses how surface EMG biofeedback was used to develop an experimental model of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Dr. Glaros also affirms the value of biofeedback in the clinical treatment of TMD.

Individuals with TMD typically report pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), in the masticatory (jaw) muscles, or in the region just in front of the ear. Dr. Glaros’s laboratory work provides insight into potential diagnostic mechanisms and treatment methods for TMD. Stress reduction therapy, including biofeedback, is one of the recommended basic treatments for TMD to help patients learn to control muscle tension or stress in the jaw.

TMD patients with joint and muscle pain reported tooth contact, a behavioral measure of clenching, for 73% of the day. Dr. Glaros’s study hypothesized that sustained low-level clenching could produce TMD pain. Dr. Glaros’s study involved young adults who reported no facial pain problems prior to the study. The study used an A-B-A design, where participants decreased activity in their jaw muscles during the first and third phases and increased activity in the second phase.

Reports of facial pain increased significantly among study participants and two participants (out of 5 total participants) were diagnosed with TMD pain during increase training. Dr. Glaros and his colleagues repeated the study several times and each of these studies reported significant increases in facial pain during increase training.

To read the entire study, click here: http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/BIOF3502.pdf

Biofeedback is a quarterly journal of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB). For more information about AAPB, visit http://www.aapb.org.