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A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders

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Abstract

This study compared the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) versus laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 45 TMD patients were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (LLLT), a GaAlAs laser was applied on painful masticatory muscles and TMJs (810 nm, 200 mW, 30 s per point, Gaussian beam, spot size 0.28 cm2, 21 J/cm2) two times a week for 5 weeks. In group 2 (LAT), the laser was emitted bilaterally on acupuncture points (ST6, ST7, LI4) with the same settings as the LLLT group. Group 3 (placebo) underwent treatment with sham laser. The patients were evaluated before treatment (T1), after 5 (T2) and 10 (T3) laser applications, and 1 month later (T4). The mandibular range of motion as well as pain intensity in masticatory system was recorded at each interval. There was no significant difference in mouth opening between the groups (p > 0.05), but the amount of lateral excursive and protrusive movements was significantly greater in LLLT and LAT groups than the placebo group at some intervals (p < 0.05). The overall pain intensity and pain degree at masticatory muscles (except temporal muscle) and TMJs were significantly lower in both experimental groups than the placebo group at most intervals after therapy (p < 0.05). Both LLLT and LAT were effective in reducing pain and increasing excursive and protrusive mandibular motion in TMD patients. LAT could be suggested as a suitable alternative to LLLT, as it provided effective results while taking less chair time.

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Funding source

This project received financial support from the Vice-Chancellor for research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences [grant no. 951115]. The results presented in this work were part of a DDS student thesis [thesis number 2890].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Azamsadat Madani, Farzaneh Ahrari & Amir Fallahrastegar

  2. Resident of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Naeemeh Daghestani

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  1. Azamsadat Madani
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  2. Farzaneh Ahrari
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Correspondence to Farzaneh Ahrari or Naeemeh Daghestani.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The protocol of the study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (IR. Mums.sd.REC.1394.191) and was recorded in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with IRCT number IRCT2017010131770N1.

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The procedure was explained in detail for all the patients and signed consent documents were taken before the study commencement.

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Madani, A., Ahrari, F., Fallahrastegar, A. et al. A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Lasers Med Sci 35, 181–192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02837-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02837-x

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