Benefits of the combination of digital and analogic tools as a strategy to control possible awake bruxism: A randomised clinical trial

Background: Awake Bruxism (AB) management includes cognitive and behavioural changes. Digital and analogic tools can be used to remind the individual to control/avoid AB behaviours. However, no study addressed both tools together. Objective: To compare the efficacy of the combination of digital (smartphone application) and analogic (adhesive reminders) tools versus digital tool alone for AB management. Methods: Seventy-two individuals diagnosed with probable AB were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 24), used both digital and analogic tools during 30 days; Group 2 (n = 24), used only a digital tool during 30 days and Group 3 (n = 24), used only a digital tool for the first 15 days and then added the analogic tool for 15 days. The AB frequency was measured in real-time with a smartphone app, which sent alerts asking the individuals if they were doing any AB behaviours (bracing, teeth contact, clenching or grinding). Groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and before-after adding an analogic tool (group 3) by paired t-test, considering α = 0.05. Results: All groups showed a decrease in AB behaviours at the end of the evaluation period. Group 1 (digital and analogic tools) showed the lowest average of AB behaviours among all groups; however, statistically significant differences were found only for the comparison between groups 1 and 2. In group 3, a significantly greater reduction in AB behaviours was found after combining both approaches. Conclusion: The combination of digital and analogic tools showed the greatest reduction of AB frequency and can be recommended for AB control.