Table 1 The population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study—the key components of the research questions
From: Efficiency of occlusal splint therapy on orofacial muscle pain reduction: a systematic review
“P” population | Adult patients diagnosed with masticatory muscle pain based on DC/TMD, RDC/TMD, or any other protocol providing clear signs and symptoms of myalgia and/or myofascial pain diagnosis |
“I” intervention | Different types of intraoral appliances used in the management of masticatory muscle pain |
“C” comparator | No treatment understood as education including information about nature of TMD, behavioural change and self-care, guidance, counseling, assurance, self-exercise and self-massage, conservative therapy including LED therapy, acupuncture, low-level laser therapy, device-supported sensorimotor training, Kinesio taping, myofunctional therapy, and physiotherapy |
“O” outcomes | Primary outcome of interest: the effect of intraoral appliances on the severity of masticatory muscle pain Secondary outcome of interest: determine what type of cotherapy used with a splint or as an isolated form of therapy will have the highest impact on reducing pain in patients with muscle pain |
“T” time | Follow-up periods for the outcome data, minimum 3 months |
“S” study design | RCTs comparing therapy with different types of splints with each other or comparing splint therapy with no treatment or other treatment methods |