Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience
Kira Pfeiffer,1 Thaqif El Khassawna,2 Deeksha Malhan,3 Christine Langer,4 Barbara Sommer,4 Mohamed Mekhemar,5 Hans-Peter Howaldt,1 and Sameh Attia1,*
Abstract
Reference
Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience (embed link to PMC article location).
Is Biofeedback through an Intra-Aural Device an Effective Method to Treat Bruxism? Case Series and Initial Experience (embed link to original article location, if available).
PMC7793495 (Ref ID)
Chosen Image filename: PMC7793495_Figure_02.jpg
Document structure and format:
I. Introduction:
This research paper investigates whether biofeedback through an intra-aural device is an effective method in treating bruxism. The study aims to provide clinical evidence of the positive impact that in-ear devices may have on relieving symptoms of bruxism.
II. Methodology:
The study used a controlled prospective design and involved seven female patients with a median age of 47.3 years who suffered from bruxism and cranio-mandibular dysfunction. The exclusion criteria included patients with atypical ear canal shape, hearing aids, malignancy in the head and neck region, during or after radiotherapy, insufficient prosthetic restoration, and undergoing orthodontic treatment. The study used the Cerezen™ in-ear device, which applies pressure on the ear canal walls during the bruxing habit and induces a biofeedback reaction in users to keep their mandible out of occlusion. The data was collected through questionnaires, jaw tracking, and surface electromyography of the masseter muscle.
III. Results:
The study included only two patients who implemented their devices for eight and seven months, respectively. One patient reported a relief in symptoms like headaches and pain intensity during the night by 50% after three months and 80% after six months. There were no adverse events reported during the study, which reflects the potential of Intra-aural devices as effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism.
IV. Discussion:
The study provides clinical evidence for the effectiveness of in-ear devices as biofeedback devices in treating bruxism. The findings support the idea that increasing patient awareness of their habit can lead to self-observed behavior changes, thereby enabling patients to be more aware of the frequency and conditions that cause their bruxism during the day. Despite the limited sample size, the findings reflect that intra-aural devices may provide a comfortable, low-risk, and invisible method to treat both forms of bruxism.
V. Conclusion:
The study concludes that intra-aural devices have the potential to be effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism. The findings of the study reflect the potential of the non-invasive, reversible, and invisible device for both wake and sleep phases, providing a promising treatment option for bruxism. However, further research with a larger sample size is required to establish the effectiveness of the device.
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