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Patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders experience substantial pain relief and better quality of life with low-dose amitriptyline.
As per a randomized clinical trial led by Ratka Boric Brakus et al., low-dose amitriptyline can markedly reduce pain and improve oral health-related quality of life in individuals suffering from chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The study, conducted over a 2-month period, offers promising evidence supporting the use of amitriptyline as part of a multimodal treatment strategy for chronic TMD care.
In the study, 40 volunteers with chronic TMD were assigned to get either 25 mg of amitriptyline or a placebo pill daily for 2 months. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), while the impact on oral health-related quality of life was measured through the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14). Evaluations were carried out at baseline, after 1 month, and again at 2 months.
Baseline assessments showed no vital differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). However, after 2 months of treatment, those in the amitriptyline group reported a substantial 63.3% drop in spontaneous pain, compared to a modest 16.2% decrease in the placebo group. Additionally, those receiving amitriptyline exhibited remarkable improvement in their OHIP-14 scores (p < 0.001), reflecting boosted quality of life. No substantial changes were witnessed in the placebo group’s OHIP-14 scores (p = 0.184).
The findings underscore the therapeutic value of low-dose amitriptyline in tackling chronic TMD symptoms. While the results are encouraging, the researchers emphasize the importance of further investigation to personalize therapeutic approaches and optimize long-term outcomes.
BMC Oral Health
Evaluating amitriptyline’s role in chronic TMD management: a placebo-controlled trial
Ratka Borić Brakus et al.
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