title: Laser therapy and needling in myofascial trigger point deactivation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate different approaches to deactivating myofascial trigger points (MTPs). Twenty-one women with bilateral MTPs in the masseter muscle were randomly divided into three groups: laser therapy, needle treatment and control. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated after four sessions with intervals ranging between 48 and 72 h. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to measure pain perception/sensation. The Wilcoxon test based on results expressed on a visual analog scale (VAS) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in pain only in the laser and needle treatments groups, although a significant increase in the pressure pain threshold was evident only for needling with anesthetic injection (P = 0.0469), and laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm² (P = 0.0156). Based on these results, it was concluded that four sessions of needling with 2% lidocaine injection with intervals between 48 and 72 h without a vasoconstrictor, or laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm², are effective for deactivation of MTPs.
authors.affiliation: Dentistry Graduation Program, Federal Fluminense University.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Uemoto
authors.forename: Marco Antonio C
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Cresus Vinicius D
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Gouvêa
authors.forename: Oswaldo V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Vilella
authors.forename: Thays A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Alfaya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine