The effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) and manual therapy (MT), alone or combined (CT), were evaluated in pain intensity, mandibular movements, psychosocial aspects, and anxiety symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. Fifty-one TMD patients were randomly assigned to three groups: the PBM group (n = 18), which received PBM with 808 nm, 100 mW, 13.3 J/cm2, and 4 J per point; the MT group (n=16) for 21 minutes each session on masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint TMJ; and the CT group (n = 17), applied during twelve sessions. Seven evaluations were performed in different moments using visual analogue scale (VAS), Research Diagnosis Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I and II, and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). All groups demonstrated reductions in pain and improvement in jaw movements during treatment and at follow-up (< 0.001). The assessment of psychosocial aspects of TMD, comparing baseline and follow-up in all treatment groups, revealed that treatment did not promote modification in the intensity of chronic pain (p > 0.05). However, depression symptoms showed a reduction in PBM and CT groups (p≤0.05). All treatments promoted reduction in physical symptoms with and without pain and enhancement of jaw disabilities (p ≤ 0.05). MT promotes improvement in 5 functions, PBM in 2, and CT in 1 (p < 0.001). BAI analysis revealed that all treatments lead to a reduction in anxiety symptoms (p≤0.05). All protocols tested were able to promote pain relief, improve mandibular function, and reduce the negative psychosocial aspects and levels of anxiety in TMD patients. However, the combination of PBM and MT did not promote an increase in the effectiveness of both therapies alone.

Introduction: As a multifactorial disease, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) require a complex therapeutic approach, being noninvasive therapies the first option for most patients. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to analyze the most common non-invasive therapies used for TMD management. Methods: The review was done by searching electronic databases to identify controlled clinical trials related to pharmacologic and non-invasive treatments. Of all potential articles found, 35 were included in this review. Results: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), occlusal splints (OS) and oral exercises/ behavior education (OE/BE) were the most common therapies used. LLLT showed significant results in pain and movement improvement in most studies. OS was usually combined to other therapies and resulted in improvement of pain. OE/BE showed significant results when combined with ultrasound, LLLT, and manual therapy. Conclusions: Non-invasive treatments can provide pain relief and should be prescribed before surgical procedures. LLLT was the therapy with the higher number of studies showing positive results. Based in heterogeneity of treatment protocols, diagnostic and outcomes criteria used, new well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCT) are necessary.

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