Table 1. Search strategy and picots criteria for the systematic review.

PICOS criteria
Population	1)MeSH term: (temporomandibular joint disorders) OR (temporomandibular joint disc) OR (temporomandibular joint) OR (temporomandibular disorders) 2)Text word: (temporomandibular joint dis*) OR (dis*, temporomandibular) OR (disc*, temporomandibular joint) OR (joint dis*, temporomandibular) OR (TMJ disorders) OR (disorder, TMJ) OR (disorders, TMJ) OR (TMJ dis*) OR (temporomandibular disorder*) OR TMD
Intervention	3) MeSH term: splints OR (occlusal splints) 4) Text word: splint* OR (splints, occlusal) OR (occlusal splint*) OR (splint, occlusal)
Intervention	5) MeSH term: placebos 6) Text word: placebo* OR (no treatment) OR (sham splint*)
Outcomes	7) MeSH term:pain OR (pain measurement) 8) Text word: (maximal mouth opening) OR (MMO) OR pain OR (pain measurement) OR (visual analogue scales of pain) OR (VAS of pain) OR (healing from TMJ clicking) OR (pain relief)
Study design	9) MeSH term: randomized controlled trials AND controlled clinical trials
Search combination	1 AND 2 AND 3 AND 4 AND 5 AND 6 AND 7 AND 8 AND 9
Language	English
Electronic database	Electronic database Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Clinical Trails.gov
Focused question	Is using splint therapy helpful to improve clinical outcomes in the management of temporomandibular disorders(TMD)?

Abbreviations:TMJ, temporomandibular joint; TMD, temporomandibular disorders; CENTRAL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials