title: Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients presenting with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in a random and placebo-controlled research design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 40 patients, divided into an experimental group (G1) and a placebo group (G2). The treatment was done with an infrared laser (830nm, 500mW, 20s, 4J/point) at the painful points, once a week for four consecutive weeks. The patients were evaluated before and after the treatment through a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Craniomandibular Index (CMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline and posttherapy values of VAS and CMI were compared by the paired T-test, separately for the placebo and laser groups. A significant difference was observed between initial and final values (p < 0.05) in both groups. Baseline and post-therapy values of pain and CMI were compared in the therapy groups by the two-sample T-test, yet no significant differences were observed regarding VAS and CMI (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After either placebo or laser therapy, pain and temporomandibular symptoms were significantly lower, although there was no significant difference between groups. The low-level laser therapy was not effective in the treatment of TMD, when compared to the placebo.
authors.affiliation: Benjamim Manoel Amarante, São José dos campos, SP, Brazil. liaalves@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lia Alves
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.forename: Leily Macedo
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Firoozmand
authors.forename: Andressa Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Samira Esteves Afonso
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.forename: Samira Afonso
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure