The reliability of using light therapy compared with LASER in pain reduction of temporomandibular disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) refer to a group of symptoms where pain is the most leading cause to demand a treatment by the patient. Light therapies are of great importance at current times due to its biosafety and non-invasive quality when used for the management of TMD symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of red LED light with low-level LASER in treating TMD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind randomized clinical study was conducted and included 60 patients along 3 groups (20 for each group) presented with myofascial pain related to TMD. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A were managed by applying the LED light device into the trigger points without switching the device on. A red LED light was given to group B for 5 min at the tender muscles. Group C were treated by using low-level LASER therapy for 30 s. Patients were evaluated for any improvements regarding the pain score, presence of trigger points, and trismus along 4 visits (1 week interval between each visit). Any side effects related to the 2 devices were also assessed. RESULTS: Both group B and C patients showed a statistically significant improvement in the pain value (P < 0.05) at the 3rd and 4th visits when compared to group A. Regarding tenderness, there was a reduction in the number of trigger points in both study groups; however, the results were insignificant in group B. Statistics showed insignificant differences between group B & C patients regarding pain and number of trigger points at all visits (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both LED light and LASER therapies could effectively relieve pain associated with myogenic TMD as there were no important differences between their outcomes. However, the biosafety and lower cost of the LED light device compared to the LASER should also be considered. Trial Registration This clinical trial was prospectively registered (TCTR ID: TCTR20190507002) on 07/05/2019. URL: http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20190507002.

Efficacy of the LED Red Light Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders: Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome (TMD) is a common disease among dental patients. It occurs as a consequence of malfunction of the tempromandibular and/or surrounding facial muscles. LED red light therapy is not been well established, and it is important to find out the role of this technique in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the efficacy of the LED red light in the treatment of the tempromandibular dysfunction syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty students of the College of Dentistry/University of Baghdad with myofacial pain associated with Tempromandibular Disorder volunteered to participate in this study and be evaluated during both treatment and follow-up periods. They were 40 (80%) females and 10 (20%) males. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A treated by TenDlite® Medical Device model 204 with a LED's of wavelength 660 nm (red light) and Group B given placebo (no treatment at all) by just putting the TenDlite device near the tender points without battery and turning ON the device. RESULTS: The changes in the pain value and number of the tender muscles in both groups were highly significant, only placebo group less but with no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that red LED therapy could be useful in improving patient's symptoms regarding pain, clicking, and number of tender muscles. In addition, this study showed the importance of the psychological part of treatment of those patients. This trial is registered with TCTR20190406002.