Early results of low-level laser application for masticatory muscle pain: a double-blind randomized clinical study

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the effect of Low Level Laser (LLL) application at the points of greatest pain in patients with chronic masticatory muscle pain.MethodsA total number of 30 (21 women, 9 men, with a mean age of 39.2) were selected after the diagnosis of MPDS according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD). The patients were randomly divided into three groups; laser group I (n = 10); patients received the LLL at the point of greatest pain, laser group II (n = 10); patients received LLL at pre-established points in the effected muscles and placebo group (n = 10). LLL and placebo were applied three times per week, for a total of 12 sessions. Mandibular mobility was examined, masticator muscles tenderness were assessed and PPT values were obtained. Subjective pain levels were evaluated using VAS. The measurements performed before the treatment and after the completion of the therapy. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and frequency) Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test and paired-sample t-tests were used for analysis.ResultsIn both laser groups, there was a statically significant reduction in PPT values of the muscles, number of muscles without any pain on palpation increased significantly, mandibular movements’ ranges were improved. Laser group I demonstrated statistically better results than the Laser group II in all of the measured values. Plasebo group did not show any statistically difference in any of the measured values.ConclusionsLLLT can be accepted as an alternative treatment modality in the management of masticatory muscle pain and direct irradiation seems to effect better.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN31085, Date of registration 28/08/20145.

Comparative effectiveness of photobiomodulation and manual therapy alone or combined in TMD patients: a randomized clinical trial

“…1,2 Diagnosis is usually delayed due to the multifactorial etiology, and the lack of assessment devices and parameters criteria used for the classification and evaluation of TMD. 8,15,16,20,23 MT is another commonly used treatment based on joint manipulation and muscle mobilization techniques, which promote the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, opioids, and non-opioid substances, improving movements, muscle relaxation, and providing pain relief. 10,26 Some studies performed MT in TMD patients and presented conflicting results.…”

Placebo and nocebo response magnitude on temporomandibular disorder‐related pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Risk of bias was very heterogeneous among studies. Using Cochrane Collaboration's tool, nine studies were classified as low risk of bias, 13 as unclear and 20 as high risk of bias . The higher risk of bias was reporting bias.…”

“…Out of the 42 RCTs, sample size ranged from 13 20 to 99 21 with a total of 1657 patients, mostly women, that is from 47 22 up to 100% 23-31 of the sample. Studies were conducted in Brazil, 23,26,28,30,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Canada, 24,40 China, 41 Croatia, 20 Denmark, [42][43][44] India, 45 Iran, 29,46 Italy, 21 Korea, 22 Poland, 47 Spain, 48 Sweden, [49][50][51] Thailand, 52 the Netherlands, 53 Turkey, [54][55][56] United Kingdom 57 and United States of America (USA). 25,27,31,[58][59][60][61] All studies were published in the English language.…”

“…Propranolol significantly reduced a composite pain index but did not decrease other clinical and experimental pain ratings. , 23,26,33,36,39,41,50,53,56 13 as unclear 20,27,30,37,38,[48][49][50][51]54,55,59,61 and 20 as high risk of bias. 21,24,25,28,29,31,32,34,40,[42][43][44][45][46][47]52,57,58,60,62 The higher risk of bias was reporting bias.…”

Efetividade da laserterapia de baixa intensidade em mulheres com DTM dolorosa em função da ansiedade, cortisol salivar e ciclo menstrual: ensaio clínico randomizado controlado duplo-cego

“…No presente estudo, a LLLT foi aplicada em pontos pré-determinados, fato que pode ter influenciado os resultados obtidos, principalmente a sensibilidade à dor (LDP), embora Sancakli et al (2015) tenham realizado um estudo no qual compararam a localização de aplicação do laser (em pontos pré-determinados vs. pontos de maior dor) e não tenham encontrado diferenças.…”