title: Low power laser biostimulation of chronic oro-facial pain. A double-blind placebo controlled cross-over study in 40 patients.
abstract: The efficacy of low power laser stimulation in the treatment of chronic oro-facial pain conditions was investigated in a double-blind placebo controlled modified cross-over study in 40 patients. The laser was an invisible infrared (IR) diode laser with an emission at 904 nanometer (nm). Treatment effect was evaluated by means of VAS-scales and global assessment of pain. Outcome of treatment was correlated to changes in urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The clinical impression was that placebo was superior to laser stimulation. No statistically significant difference between the analgesic effect of the laser and placebo irradiation was found on VAS-scales. A significant (P = 0.05) increase in 5-HIAA excretion was found in the placebo group. It is concluded that the possibility of a substantial placebo response should be taken into consideration using 904 nm (IR) lasers for pain treatment in patients with this type of chronic oro-facial pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Z 3084, University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), CopenhagenDenmark Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Dental College, CopenhagenDenmark.
authors.forename: Hans Jørgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thorøe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D010146:Pain / Q000652:urine; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid