Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders are the most common cause of orofacial pain. They affect the temporomandibular joint and surrounding musculoskeletal structures. The most common signs and symptoms include pain, limited mandibular range of motion and joint noises. Conservative treatment includes education or cognitive behavioural therapy, pharmacotherapy, interocclusal splint therapy and physiotherapy. If conservative methods are not effective, various surgical procedures can be considered. One of the physiotherapy techniques for alleviating myofascial pain is dry needling, in which needles are inserted directly into the myofascial trigger points without the use of anesthesia. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work was to review published professional and scientific literature and to analyze the effects of dry needling on temporomandibular joint pain. Methods: A literature search was conducted online in the PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, BASE and DiKUL databases. Combinations of phrases in English were used: »temporomandibular disorders« OR »temporomandibular joint« AND »dry needling«. Studies with open access, published after the year 2000, involving participants with temporomandibular disorders, where dry needling was performed in at least one experimental group, and where one of the outcomes was the effect of therapy on pain intensity, were included in the review. Both studies that investigated the immediate effects of dry needling and studies that monitored the long-term effects were included. Results: Nine studies were reviewed and analyzed. In seven studies, dry needling was compared with other therapies or control groups, while in two studies, combinations of dry needling and other interventions were compared to various therapies. In all reviewed studies, dry needling significantly reduced the average pain intensity (p < 0,05), with an reduction of 1,86 to 7,07 units on the VAS, or an average reduction of 2,52 units on the NPRS. In six studies, dry needling also significantly improved the mouth opening range. Discussion and conclusion: A systematic review of the literature revealed that dry needling can effectively reduce pain and improve mandibular range of motion. In most studies, the differences in pain reduction on the VAS between dry needling and comparative therapies were not clinically significant. However, since all reviewed studies observed only short-term effects of dry needling, further research with larger sample sizes, more homogeneous procedures and longer follow-up of results would be necessary. The best results are achieved when dry needling is combined with other physiotherapy procedures.
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