What do systematic reviews say?

Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control)

Brain wave music (BWM) showed no clear difference in patient‐reported pain intensity or pain relief (VAS, NRS or… compared with no special instructions (control); GRADE not reported.

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

  7 days
  MD -4.72 [-15.83, 6.39]
  1 study · 24 participants
  GRADE not reported
• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  24 hours
  MD -26.65 [-39.06, -14.24]
  1 study · 24 participants
  Very low
• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes

  3 days
  MD -23.44 [-36.82, -10.06]
  1 study · 24 participants
  GRADE not reported

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

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse effects: Not measured.
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Brain wave music (BWM) vs No special instructions (control)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse effects for BWM: Not measured.
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

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)

Experimental chewing adjuncts (bite wafers or chewing gum) led to lower quality of life or patient satisfaction compared with no chewing gum, placebo, or control (no adjunct); GRADE not reported.

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

  24 hours
  RR 0.45 [0.22, 0.94]
  2 studies · 107 participants
  GRADE not reported

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

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Non‐pharmacological interventions for alleviating pain during orthodontic treatment 2016 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Adverse effects: Not measured.
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

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