481: Efficacy of Lavender Essential Oil for Pain and Anxiety in Temporomandibular Disorder Patients

Topic: Clinical Science
Subtopic: Pain category (ICD-11), Chronic primary orofacial pain, Treatment/management

Background and Aims: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the second most prevalent chronic musculoskeletal condition after low back pain, affecting up to 34% of the global population 1-3.. They are characterized by pain or dysfunction in the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, or associated tissues. Etiology is multifactorial, encompassing biological, psychological, and social determinants such as age, sex, parafunctional habits, sleep disturbances, stress, depression, and anxiety1. Women aged 20–40 show higher prevalence3. Despite advances in pathophysiology, effective therapies remain limited, with poor long-term adherence. This study evaluates inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil as a potential intervention for pain and anxiety in muscular TMD.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial adhered to CONSORT guidelines, was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC# RBR-8kqhkz7), with ethical approval #6.826.085. Adult patients of both sexes diagnosed with muscular TMD were divided into two groups: lavender essential oil (LAV EO) or synthetic lavender essence (placebo), self-administered by inhalation three times/day for 20 minutes for 30 days. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1) for anxiety (GAD-7), pain intensity (VAS) and mechanical pain threshold (von Frey filaments). They were remotely followed-up weekly (T2–T4) and subjected to a presential final evaluation on day 30 (T5).

Results: Ninety-two participants completed the trial; 79.6% in the placebo group and 93.8% in LAV EO group were women aged 20–46 years. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) significantly decreased in the LAV EO group at T2–T4 compared with the placebo. Self-reported pain intensity (VAS) was significantly reduced in the LAV EO group across all time points (T1–T5). Mechanical pain threshold (Von Frey) increased significantly in the LAV EO group immediately after inhalation and at day 30, relative to baseline and placebo. No adverse effects were reported by any participant, confirming safety and tolerability of the intervention.

Conclusions: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the effects of inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LAV EO) on pain and anxiety in patients with muscle-related temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Results demonstrated that LAV EO significantly reduced pain intensity and anxiety scores throughout treatment compared with placebo. Mechanical pain threshold also improved in the intervention group. No adverse events were reported, supporting the safety of the intervention. These findings suggest that LAV EO inhalation represents a safe and effective complementary therapeutic approach for managing muscular TMD, with potential to enhance patient outcomes in clinical practice.

References: 1- Yap AU, Zheng Y, Liu T, et al. Impact of comorbid depression and anxiety on temporomandibular disorders related pain, sleep, function, behaviors, and quality of life. Sci Rep. 2025,15(1):35620. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-19524-3.
2- Busse JW, Casassus R, Carrasco-Labra A, et al. Management of chronic pain associated with temporomandibular disorders: a clinical practice guideline. BMJ. 2023, 383:e076227. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076227.
3- Manfredini D, Guarda-Nardini L, Winocur E, et al. Research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of axis I epidemiologic findings. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;112(4):453-62. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2011.04.02.

Presenting Author: Juliana Geremias Chichorro
Submitting Author: Juliana Chichorro

Senior Author: Juliana Geremias Chichorro

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Vanessa Bordenowsky Pereira Lejeune: PhD - Federal University of Parana
• Priscila Brenner Hilgenberg Sydney: PhD - Federal University of Parana
• Amanda Rossi Corelhano: MSc - Federal University of Parana
• Gustavo Farias Macedo: BS - Federal University of Parana
• Juliana Feltrin-Souza: PhD - Federal University of Parana