title: Low-level laser therapy for management of TMJ osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind clinical trial, 20 patients with TMJ osteoarthritis were randomly divided into laser and placebo groups. The patients in the laser group received irradiation from an 810 nm low-level laser (Peak power 80 W, average power 50 mW, 1500 Hz, 1 micro s pulse width, 120 seconds, 6 J, 3.4 J/cm(2) per point), which was applied on four points around the TMJs and on painful muscles three times a week for 4 weeks. In the placebo group, the treatment was the same as that in the laser group, but with laser simulation. The patients were evaluated before laser therapy (T1), after 6 (T2) and 12 (T3) laser applications and 1 month after the last application (T4), and the amount of mouth opening and the pain intensity were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found in mouth opening either between the study groups or between the different evaluation times in each group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in pain symptoms of the masticatory muscles and TMJ between the laser and the placebo groups (P>0.05), but some significant within-group improvements were present for Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of the body of the masseter and TMJ in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LLLT using the present laser parameters was no more effective than the placebo treatment for reducing pain and improving mouth opening in patients with TMJ osteoarthritis.
authors.forename: Azam S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahrari
authors.forename: Farideh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nasiri
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abtahi
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tunér
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000532:radiotherapy*