Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain

<b>Background</b>: Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic agent for muscle tension, pain, and sleep bruxism, yet its broader impact on comorbid conditions such as sleep disturbance and migraine disability remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the effect...

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Main Authors: Karolina Walczyńska-Dragon, Jakub Fiegler-Rudol, Stefan Baron, Aleksandra Nitecka-Buchta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1064
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author Karolina Walczyńska-Dragon
Jakub Fiegler-Rudol
Stefan Baron
Aleksandra Nitecka-Buchta
author_facet Karolina Walczyńska-Dragon
Jakub Fiegler-Rudol
Stefan Baron
Aleksandra Nitecka-Buchta
author_sort Karolina Walczyńska-Dragon
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic agent for muscle tension, pain, and sleep bruxism, yet its broader impact on comorbid conditions such as sleep disturbance and migraine disability remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the effects of topical CBD on sleep quality and migraine-related disability in patients with bruxism-associated muscular pain. <b>Methods</b>: In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 60 participants with bruxism were allocated equally into three groups: control (placebo gel), 5% CBD gel, and 10% CBD gel. Participants applied the gel intraorally to the masseter muscles nightly for 30 days. Sleep quality and migraine-related disability were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), respectively. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and the Bruxoff<sup>®</sup> device were used for objective evaluation of muscle tension and bruxism intensity. <b>Results</b>: Both CBD treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in PSQI and MIDAS scores compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the 5% and 10% CBD groups, suggesting comparable efficacy. The sEMG findings corroborated a reduction in muscle tension. Improvements in sleep and migraine outcomes were positively correlated with reductions in muscle activity and pain. <b>Conclusions</b>: Topical CBD gel significantly improved sleep quality and reduced migraine-related disability in patients with bruxism-associated muscular pain, supporting its role as a multifaceted therapeutic option in the management of TMD and related comorbidities. Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and determine optimal dosing strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-9c3400a05a9d465dad288c12027f00bc2025-08-20T03:07:55ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-07-01187106410.3390/ph18071064Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle PainKarolina Walczyńska-Dragon0Jakub Fiegler-Rudol1Stefan Baron2Aleksandra Nitecka-Buchta3Department of Temporomandibular Disorders, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandScientific Society, Department of Temporomandibular Disorders, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandDepartment of Temporomandibular Disorders, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, PolandDepartment of Temporomandibular Disorders, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland<b>Background</b>: Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated potential as a therapeutic agent for muscle tension, pain, and sleep bruxism, yet its broader impact on comorbid conditions such as sleep disturbance and migraine disability remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the effects of topical CBD on sleep quality and migraine-related disability in patients with bruxism-associated muscular pain. <b>Methods</b>: In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 60 participants with bruxism were allocated equally into three groups: control (placebo gel), 5% CBD gel, and 10% CBD gel. Participants applied the gel intraorally to the masseter muscles nightly for 30 days. Sleep quality and migraine-related disability were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS), respectively. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and the Bruxoff<sup>®</sup> device were used for objective evaluation of muscle tension and bruxism intensity. <b>Results</b>: Both CBD treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in PSQI and MIDAS scores compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the 5% and 10% CBD groups, suggesting comparable efficacy. The sEMG findings corroborated a reduction in muscle tension. Improvements in sleep and migraine outcomes were positively correlated with reductions in muscle activity and pain. <b>Conclusions</b>: Topical CBD gel significantly improved sleep quality and reduced migraine-related disability in patients with bruxism-associated muscular pain, supporting its role as a multifaceted therapeutic option in the management of TMD and related comorbidities. Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits and determine optimal dosing strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1064topical cannabidioltemporomandibular disordersbruxismmigraine disabilitysleep disturbancessurface electromyography
spellingShingle Karolina Walczyńska-Dragon
Jakub Fiegler-Rudol
Stefan Baron
Aleksandra Nitecka-Buchta
Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
Pharmaceuticals
topical cannabidiol
temporomandibular disorders
bruxism
migraine disability
sleep disturbances
surface electromyography
title Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
title_full Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
title_fullStr Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
title_full_unstemmed Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
title_short Expanding the Therapeutic Profile of Topical Cannabidiol in Temporomandibular Disorders: Effects on Sleep Quality and Migraine Disability in Patients with Bruxism-Associated Muscle Pain
title_sort expanding the therapeutic profile of topical cannabidiol in temporomandibular disorders effects on sleep quality and migraine disability in patients with bruxism associated muscle pain
topic topical cannabidiol
temporomandibular disorders
bruxism
migraine disability
sleep disturbances
surface electromyography
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1064
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