Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome. Comparative Controlled Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery Department; Faculty of Dentistry; October 6 University; Giza, Egypt

2 Lecturer Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Surgery Department; Faculty of Dentistry; October 6 University; Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) has been a very prevalent multifactorial disorder and even difficult treatment protocol. Recently, low‑level laser therapy (LLLT) has been advocated as an effective way to counter and alleviate the resulting pain caused due to MPDS.
Aim of Study: The Aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of different protocol of the LLLT in pain, range of motion and muscles tenderness related to the MPDS.
Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with MPDS were diagnosed and randomly assigned to 2 groups (n=10). All patients were treated with LLLT, InGaAsP diode laser (Biolase) with a wavelength of 1080 J with 4.0 W and 940 nm, for each affected region for 10 minutes. In Group I they received one session per week for 4 weeks, however, Group II two sessions per week for 4 weeks. Power adjusted to patients with type III based on Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale. Muscle tenderness, maximum painless mouth opening, Pain score were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion were assessed before and immediately after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks.
Results: It was concluded that the use of LLLT twice a week promoted satisfactory results in reducing the pain intensity and improvement in the range of jaw motion higher than those used for once per week.
Conclusion: LLLT is considered an effective and efficient treatment method for pain reduction and increase ROM in patients with MPDS.

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