Short-term effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on sleep bruxism – a pilot study

Abstract

A therapeutic technique based on electromagnetic pulses may provide relief from pain caused by grinding teeth during sleep. Sleep bruxism is a condition in which sufferers grind their teeth continuously at night, causing significant discomfort and jaw pain. In a pilot study, Jing-Lu Zhang at Nanjing Medical University, China, and co-workers investigated the effects of a non-invasive technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on sleep bruxism in 12 patients. The team used electromagnetic coils to send 20 min of targeted magnetic pulses to the primary motor cortex of each patient every day for 5 days. The patients rated their levels of pain before, during and after rTMS treatment, and reported a significant drop in soreness levels. Further trials will verify if rTMS therapy is beneficial for those suffering from sleep bruxism.

Keywords

behavioural science / brain function / electromyography / orofacial pain / repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation / sleep bruxism

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