Abstract | OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy in conjunction with a pharmaceutical approach to alleviate myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. BACKGROUND DATA: METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of GaAs laser (peak power 10 W; pulse frequency 3000 Hz; average power 0.012 W; wavelength 980 nm; irradiation duration 300 sec; and dose 12.73 J/cm(2)) on the management of common orofacial pain. The laser group ( n=30) received 10 sessions of treatment with GaAs laser. The control group ( n=30) was treated identically with sham laser. All patients received the appropriate pharmaceutical treatment as well. Visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded for all patients at baseline, and immediately, 2, and 4 months after the final treatment session. The qualitative variables among the groups were compared using the χ(2) test. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in pain with the progression of time (p<0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). Whereas laser therapy in the present study failed to show any significance over the control group, the role of covariates such as radiation parameters (wave length, dose) should not be overlooked. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant level of efficacy for the GaAs laser in the management of common orofacial pain. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the efficacy of other types of lasers with different parameters in the management of orofacial pains.
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Authors | Dariush Amanat, Hooman Ebrahimi, Fatemeh Lavaee, Abbass Alipour |
Journal | Photomedicine and laser surgery
(Photomed Laser Surg)
Vol. 31
Issue 10
Pg. 474-9
(Oct 2013)
ISSN: 1557-8550 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 24102165
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
- Muscle Relaxants, Central
- Carbamazepine
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Topics |
- Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
(therapeutic use)
- Anti-Anxiety Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
(therapeutic use)
- Carbamazepine
(therapeutic use)
- Case-Control Studies
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Double-Blind Method
- Facial Pain
(drug therapy, radiotherapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Lasers, Semiconductor
(therapeutic use)
- Low-Level Light Therapy
(methods)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscle Relaxants, Central
(therapeutic use)
- Radiotherapy Dosage
- Treatment Outcome
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