Evaluation of low-level laser therapy effectiveness on the pain and masticatory performance of patients with myofascial pain

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 29 - 35
• Main Authors: de Moraes Maia, Mila Leite, Ribeiro, Maria Amália Gonzaga, Maia, Luiz Guilherme Martins, Stuginski-Barbosa, Juliana, Costa, Yuri Martins, Porporatti, André Luís, Conti, Paulo César Rodrigues, Bonjardim, Leonardo Rigoldi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Data processing; Dentistry; Ethics; Face; Facial Pain - physiopathology; Facial Pain - radiotherapy; Female; Humans; Lasers; Lasers, Semiconductor - therapeutic use; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Mastication - radiation effects; Masticatory Muscles - physiopathology; Masticatory Muscles - radiation effects; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Muscles; Musculoskeletal diseases; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Pain; Pain management; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold - radiation effects; Patients; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - physiopathology; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - radiotherapy; Therapy; Visual; Young Adult; Pressure pain threshold; Myofascial pain; Temporomandibular dysfunction; Masticatory performance; Laser therapy
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-012-1228-7

This study investigated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the masticatory performance (MP), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and pain intensity in patients with myofascial pain. Twenty-one subjects, with myofascial pain according to Research Diagnostic Criteria/temporomandibular dysfunction, were divided into laser group ( n  = 12) and placebo group ( n  = 9) to receive laser therapy (active or placebo) two times per week for 4 weeks. The measured variables were: (1) MP by analysis of the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of the chewed particles using Optocal test material, (2) PPT by a pressure algometer, and (3) pain intensity by the visual analog scale (VAS). Measurements of MP and PPT were obtained at three time points: baseline, at the end of treatment with low-level laser and 30 days after (follow-up). VAS was measured at the same times as above and weekly throughout the laser therapy. The Friedman test was used at a significance level of 5 % for data analysis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Sergipe (CAAE: 0025.0.107.000-10). A reduction in the GMD of crushed particles ( p  < 0.01) and an increase in PPT ( p  < 0.05) were seen only in the laser group when comparing the baseline and end-of-treatment values. Both groups showed a decrease in pain intensity at the end of treatment. LLLT promoted an improvement in MP and PPT of the masticatory muscles.