What do systematic reviews say?

Mindfulness plus medication vs Medication alone

• Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Shevtsova 2020: data could not be combined; both groups achieved at least a 30% reduction in pain from baseline at treatment completion and follow-up (Table 1). No between-group MD reported.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) vs No vibration or placebo vibration

Vibratory stimulation (vibratory adjuncts) led to lower dose/intensity and frequency of pain relief needed (analgesic/rescue… compared with no vibration or placebo vibration; GRADE not reported.

• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  24 hours
  RR 0.63 [0.44, 0.92]
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) vs No chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct)

• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  24 hours to 1 week
  Benson 2012 (57 participants): no statistically significant difference in analgesic consumption at 24 hours (P = 0.903) or one week (P = 0.104).
  1 study · 57 participants
  GRADE not reported

CBT vs alternative treatment

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) showed no clear difference in pain intensity at treatment completion compared with alternative (active) treatment (e.g. oral splint, medication,… (low certainty).

• Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Treatment completion
  SMD 0.03 [-0.21, 0.28]
  5 studies · 509 participants
  Low
• Psychological therapies for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Follow-up (6-12 months)
  SMD -0.29 [-0.50, -0.08]
  5 studies · 475 participants
  Low