Evaluation of the Sympathetic Skin Response to the Dry Needling Treatment in Female Myofascial Pain Syndrome Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity following dry needling (DN) treatment, by using the sympathetic skin response (SSR) method in female patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). METHODS: Twenty-nine MPS patients with trapezius muscle pain and 31 healthy subjects were included in this study. During a single treatment session, DN treatment was applied into trigger points, for a duration of 10 minutes. Healthy patients were subjected to SSR in weeks 1 and 4; whereas the patient group was subjected to SSR 1 week prior to their treatment and in the first, second, third and fourth weeks following the completion of their treatment. RESULTS: We found diminished latency on both sides. A significantly high algometer measurement (P < 0.05) was observed in the control group. DN treatment was effective in diminishing the visual analog scale (VAS) (P < 0.001), pressure pain threshold (PPT) (P < 0.01), and SSR (P < 0.001). No SSR change was detected in the healthy group after the follow-up period (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DN is an effective treatment in MPS and trigger point (TP). This original study is the first to deal with the SSR in MPS and weekly SSR trailing, requiring further investigation to solidy findings.

Effects of zoledronic acid on healing of mandibular fractures: an experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of systemically administered zoledronic acid (ZA) on mandibular fracture healing in a rabbit model using radiodensitometric, biomechanical, histologic, and histomorphometric methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 skeletally mature male New Zealand white rabbits were used. The rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. A mandibular corpus fracture was created experimentally in all 36 rabbits. The experimental group was administered an intravenous, single dose of 0.1 mg/kg ZA, and the control group was administered only saline infusion during the procedure. All rabbits were sacrificed on the 21st postoperative day. Digital radiodensitometric analysis, a 3-point bending test, and histologic and histomorphometric examinations were performed on the harvested hemimandibles. The data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Biomechanical testing data showed that ZA treatment resulted in a significant increase in the healed bone strength. This result was supported by the radiologic, histologic, and histomorphometric findings. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study have revealed that systemic administration of ZA accelerates and improves the bone healing of mandibular fractures.

Effect of tulle on the mechanical properties of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer.

The purpose of this research was to investigate if physical properties could be improved by incorporating a tulle reinforcement material into a maxillofacial silicone elastomer. A-2186 silicone elastomer was used in this study. The study group consisted of 20 elastomer specimens incorporated with tulle and fabricated in dumbbell-shaped silicone patterns using ASTM D412 and D624 standards. The control group consisted of 20 elastomer specimens fabricated without tulle. Tensile strength, ultimate elongation, and tear strength of all specimens were measured and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U test with a statistical significance at 95% confidence level. It was found that the tensile and tear strengths of tulle-incorporated maxillofacial silicone elastomer were higher than those without tulle incorporation (p < 0.05). Therefore, findings of this study suggested that tulle successfully reinforced a maxillofacial silicone elastomer by providing it with better mechanical properties and augmented strength--especially for the delicate edges of maxillofacial prostheses.