Clinical observation on warming needle moxibustion combined with rehabilitation techniques in the treatment of anterior disc displacement without reduction

Abstract Objective: To observe the effect of warming needle moxibustion combined with rehabilitation techniques on clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 66patients, with ADDwoR, attending the Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Patients were assigned to the Experimental (12 sessions of warming needle moxibustion combined with rehabilitation manipulation therapy) and Control (rehabilitation therapy only) group (n = 33, each). Duration of treatment was 4 weeks, with 3 times a week. Outcomes included VAS pain score, maximum mouth opening (MMO), mandibular function impairment score (MFIQ), oral health impact scale (OHIP-14 scale), and mandibular dysfunction index (Fricton score). Safety assessments during treatment included incidence of fainting, broken needle, bleeding, hematoma and scalding. Results: After treatment, the VAS scores, mandibular function impairment scores, oral health impact degree scale, and the scores of DI, PI and CMI in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with before. While the maximum mouth opening was increased in both groups. And the clinical efficacy evaluation was: the cure rate of the control group was 59%, and the cure rate of the experimental group was 83%. There was significant difference in the cure rate between the two groups. Conclusion: Compared to targeted rehabilitation exercises only, warming needle moxibustion combined with rehabilitation manipulation can not only improve the pain and maximum mouth opening, but also mandibular function impairment, mandibular joint disorder and oral health of patients with ADDwoR. Clinical trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identififier: ChiCTR2200059039.