Skip to main content
. 2018 Oct 1;2018(9):CD003968. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003968.pub5

Wahlund 2015.

Study characteristics
Methods RCT. 2 arms. Assessed at pretreatment and three months. Non‐responders were then assigned to the other condition and assessed at 6 months. We extracted data only from the three‐month time point
Participants End of treatment: n = 57
Start of treatment: n = 64
Sex: 61 F, 3 M
Mean age = 16.4 years (SD 1.87)
Source = two specialist temporomandibular clinics in Sweden
Diagnosis = temporomandibular pain at least once a week for more than three months
Mean years of pain = 23.9 months (SD 19.05)
Interventions "Occlusal appliance therapy"
"Relaxation treatment"
Outcomes Primary pain outcome: pain intensity
Primary disability outcome: none
Primary depression outcome: none
Primary anxiety outcome: none

  1. Pain intensity

  2. Pain frequency

  3. Pain Index

  4. Unpleasantness

  5. Clinical significance

  6. Weekly pain diary

  7. Patient's Global Impression of Change Scale

  8. Analgesic consumption

  9. School absence

  10. Maximum unassisted pain‐free opening

  11. Treatment motivation and credibility

  12. Treatment compliance
Notes COI: "The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this study."
Funding: "This study was supported by the Swedish Dental Society; the Public Dental Service of (Östergötland County Council), Sweden; and the Public Dental Service of Kalmar (Kalmar County Council), Sweden. The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this study."
Risk of bias
Bias Authors' judgement Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias) Low risk "Using a random number table, a secretary not otherwise involved in the study generated the allocation sequence to assign patients to a treatment, either occlusal appliance therapy or relaxation treatment."
Comment: probably done
Allocation concealment (selection bias) Low risk "Using a random number table, a secretary not otherwise involved in the study generated the allocation sequence to assign patients to a treatment, either occlusal appliance therapy or relaxation treatment. The secretary put these assignments in sealed opaque envelopes."
Comment: probably done
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes Unclear risk No description found in text
Comment: probably not done
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes Unclear risk Attrition was described, however significant differences between completers and non‐completers were not reported
Selective reporting (reporting bias) Low risk Data fully reported