Randomized controlled trials have previously addressed the efficacy of mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The control used in these studies is usually nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). It is frequently found to be superior to MAD therapy. In most of these studies nCPAP was titrated objectively but [read the full story…]
The Clark Twin Block (CTB) is a functional orthodontic appliance. Functional appliances contribute to the correction of Class II malocclusions in growing patients through a combination of dentoalveolar and skeletal effects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the addition of a maxillary labial bow has any effect on the inclination of the [read the full story…]
There are a number of epidemiological studies that suggest a clear relationship between levels of vitamin D in the body and mental well being, but to date there has not been a large scale randomised controlled trial that proves that vitamin D supplementation (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels) can improve mental health. An Australian research team [read the full story…]
Depression is common in patients with dementia and antidepressants are widely prescribed for this population although the evidence remains limited. This randomised controlled trial conducted by researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and published in the Lancet, explored the safety and efficacy of two widely-used drugs (sertraline and mirtazapine) in patients with dementia and [read the full story…]
The aim of this trial was to assess the effect of hypnosis on self-reported pain and the blink reflex (BR) in temporomandibular disorder. Forty three patients with a diagnosis of persistent (>6 months) myofascial pain Iab according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) were randomized to hypnosis or control (nonhypnotic relaxation). Pain intensity was assessed [read the full story…]
Older people who suffer from depression and executive dysfunction experience significant levels of disability and often don’t respond well to conventional drug treatments. This randomised controlled trial conducted by researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York State, attempted to find out if problem-solving therapy is better than supportive therapy for reducing disability in older [read the full story…]
Long term studies have shown that relapse occurs in around 70% of orthodontic treatment. However it is difficult to predict either those cases that will relapse or the degree to which it will occur. The aim of the this study was to compare the effectiveness of vacuum-formed and Hawley retainers in maintaining arch width as [read the full story…]
Many people with dementia experience pain, but often find it difficult to communicate this to their carers and the pain is therefore manifested as agitation instead. A randomised controlled trial published in the British Medical Journal looks at a systematic approach to the treatment of pain, to see if it can reduce agitation in people with [read the full story…]
The prevalence of palatally displaced permanent canine teeth varies between 0.8 and 5.2 % . The aim of this trial was to test the effectiveness of cervical pull headgear and rapid maxillary expansion and cervical pull headgear on the eruption of palatally displaced canines. They randomized 64 patients with to one of three groups: cervical [read the full story…]
There are increasing levels of interest in stepped care models to treat mental health problems in primary care. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of a stepped care programme for treating depression and anxiety in 120 adults (aged 18-65 years with minor or major DSM-IV depressive and/or anxiety disorders) in general practice. Patients were [read the full story…]
