ABSTRACT
Several clinical treatments have been proposed to manage symptoms of fibromyalgia. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may be a useful tool to treat this dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT in patients with fibromyalgia. A placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was carried out with 20 patients divided randomly into either an LLLT group (n = 10) or a placebo group (n = 10). The LLLT group was treated with a GaAlAs laser (670 nm, 4 J/cm(2) on 18 tender points) three times a week over 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, patients were evaluated with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), McGill Pain Questionnaire, and visual analog scale (VAS). Data from the FIQ and McGill questionnaire for the treated and control groups were analyzed by paired t tests, and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze data from the VAS. After LLLT or sham treatment, the number of tender points was significantly reduced in both groups (LLLT, p < 0.0001; placebo, p = 0.0001). However, all other fibromyalgia symptoms showed significant improvements after LLLT compared to placebo (FIQ, p = 0.0003; McGill, p = 0.0078; and VAS, p = 0.0020). LLLT provided relief from fibromyalgia symptoms in patients and should be further investigated as a therapeutic tool for management in fibromyalgia.
Subject(s)
Fibromyalgia/radiotherapy , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Pain Measurement/methods , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Physical Therapy ModalitiesABSTRACT
CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: As lesões nervosas periféricas podem comprometer atividades diárias de um indivíduo e resultam em perda da sensibilidade e motricidade do território inervado. OBJETIVO: Com o intuito de acelerar os processos regenerativos, objetivou-se analisar a influência da aplicação do laser de arsenieto de gálio e alumínio (AsGaAl, 660Nm) sobre a recuperação funcional do nervo ciático de ratos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O nervo ciático de 12 ratos Wistar foi submetido à lesão por neurotmese e anastomose epineural e divididos em dois grupos: controle e laserterapia. Após a lesão, utilizou-se o laser de GaAlAs, 660Nm, 4J/cm², 26,3mW, feixe de 0,63cm², em três pontos eqüidistantes sobre a lesão, por 20 dias. As impressões das pegadas dos animais foram obtidas antes e após (sete, 14 e 21 dias pós-operatórios) o procedimento cirúrgico e calculou-se o índice funcional do ciático (IFC). RESULTADOS: A comparação do IFC não resultou em diferença significante (p>0,05) entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que os parâmetros e métodos empregados na laserterapia demonstram resultados nulos sobre o IFC no período avaliado.
CONTEXT: Peripheral nerve injuries result in sensory and motor losses in the innervated area and can hinder individuals' daily activities. Objective: The objective was to analyze the influence of applying gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser (660Nm) on the functional recovery of the sciatic nerve in rats. METHODS: The sciatic nerve of 12 Wistar rats was subjected to injury consisting of neurotmesis and epineural anastomosis. The rats were divided into two groups: control and laser therapy. After the injury, a GaAlAs laser was used (660Nm, 4J/cm², 26.3mW and 0.63cm² beam) at three equidistant points on the injury, for 20 days. Footprint impressions were obtained from the animals before and seven, 14 and 21 days after the surgical procedure and the sciatic functional index (SFI) was calculated. RESULTS: Comparison of the SFI did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The parameters and methods used for the laser therapy did not produce any effect on the SFI over the period evaluated.
Subject(s)
Rats , Animals , Low-Level Light Therapy , Nerve Regeneration , Sciatic Nerve , Physical Therapy Modalities , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
INTRODUÇÃO: Nos últimos anos, tem sido notado grande interesse no estudo de novas modalidades para o tratamento das disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM). A dor descrita como dor facial, cefaléia ou dor de ouvido, comumente exacerbada pela função da mandíbula, é, em geral, a principal queixa do paciente. A fotobiomodulação laser vem sendo utilizada no tratamento da dor em DTM. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o nível de dor de pacientes com DTM tratados com fotobiomodulação laser. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 18 pacientes do sexo feminino, com idade média de 27 anos (± 7), com diagnóstico de DTM, os quais foram separados aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Placebo (Controle) e Tratado. O Grupo Tratado (n= 10) recebeu atendimento duas vezes por semana, por quatro semanas consecutivas (totalizando oito aplicações). Utilizou-se o laser de GaAs (904 nm), 6 J/cm², 0,38 mW/cm², área do feixe de 0,039 cm², com modo de emissão contínua. Realizou-se a aplicação do laser em quatro pontos pré-auriculares e um em meato acústico externo. O Grupo Placebo (n= 8) foi manipulado como o tratado, porém com o laser desligado. Para análise do nível de dor dos pacientes, empregou-se a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de dor, antes e após a terapia. Para a análise dos dados, empregou-se o teste t de Student, com nível de significância de 5 por cento (p< 0,05). RESULTADOS: Observou-se redução significativa (p< 0,05) do nível de dor do Grupo Tratado. CONCLUSÕES: A fotobiomodulação laser (GaAs, 904 nm) testada demonstrou ser positiva para o alívio da sintomatologia dolorosa em pacientes com DTM.
INTRODUCTION: Over the last few years, there has been great interest in studying new methods for treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Pain, described as facial pain, headache or earache, usually exacerbated by jaw use, is generally the patients' main complaint. Laser photobiomodulation has been used for treating pain in cases of TMD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the pain levels in TMD patients treated with laser photobiomodulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen female patients of mean age was 27 years (± 7), with a diagnosis of TMD, were studied. They were randomly divided into two groups: Placebo (Control) and Experimental Groups. The Experimental Group (n= 10) received treatment twice a week, for four consecutive weeks (totaling eight applications). The GaAs laser (904 nm) was used, with 6 J/cm², 0.38 mW/cm², beam area of 0.039cm² and continuous emission mode. The laser was applied at four pre-auricular points and one in the external auditory meatus. The Placebo Group (n= 8) was manipulated in the same way as the treated group, but with the laser switched off. To analyze the patients' pain levels, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used, before and after the therapy. To analyze the data, Student's t test was used, with a significance level of 5 percent (p< 0.05). RESULTS: A significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the pain level was observed in the Treated Group. CONCLUSIONS: The tested laser photobiomodulation (GaAs, 904 nm) demonstrated positive results regarding the relief of painful symptoms in patients with TMD.
Subject(s)
Facial Pain , Low-Level Light Therapy , Masticatory Muscles , Temporomandibular JointABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with toluidine blue O (TBO) and a light-emitting diode (LED) on the viability of Streptococcus mutans cells in a planktonic culture. BACKGROUND DATA: Growth of Streptococcus mutans is the first step in the development of tooth decay. The use of light and dyes promotes cellular death in a noninvasive way, reducing treatment time. METHODS: The LED used in this study had output power of 116 mW, its energy was 21 J, and the fluency was 2.18 J/cm(2). Samples were prepared and divided into five groups: (1) control group (-); (2) control group (+); (3) TBO; (4) LED; and (5) LED + TBO. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the bacteria were killed following irradiation with LED and TBO. The biofilm that formed on the glass surfaces was analyzed by SEM and colony count. CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that PDT was efficient at killing microorganisms and preventing the formation of biofilms.