Effects of Laser Therapy and LED Therapy on Elderly Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is described as a subgroup of orofacial pain with a set of signs and symptoms that involve the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, ears and neck. TMD can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and approximately 70% of the population is affected with at least one sign. The disorder progresses with orofacial pain, muscle pain involving the masticatory and cervical muscles, joint noises (clicks and pops), joint block, mandibular dysfunction and headache. The etiology can be abnormal occlusion and/or posture, trauma involving local tissues, repetitive microtrauma, parafunctional habits and an increase in emotional stress. Studies have demonstrated that phototherapy is an efficient option for the treatment of TMD, leading to improvements in pain and orofacial function. The aim of the proposed study is to analyze the effects of low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode (LED) therapy on pain and function in patients with TMD. Methods: A randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is proposed, which will involve 80 individuals between 40 and 70 years of age allocated to either a laser group or LED group submitted to twelve sessions of phototherapy. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs will be used to evaluate all participants. Pain will be measured using the visual analog scale. Orofacial function will be measured based on maximum vertical mandibular movement and muscle tension (determined through palpation of the masseter, temporal, frontal, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital and trapezius muscles). Electromyographic analysis of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles will also be performed.

Official Title
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Effects of Laser Therapy and LED Therapy on Elderly Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder: a Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind, Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Laser and LED Therapy on Elderly Individuals With Temporomandibular Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Radiation: Laser Therapy
* Radiation: LED therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of TMD based on the RDC/TMD; Age between 40 and 70 years. Exclusion Criteria: Dentofacial anomalies; Currently in orthodontic or orthopedic treatment for the jaw; Currently undergoing physical therapy; Currently undergoing psychological treatment; Use of muscle relaxant or anti-inflammatory agent.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: LED group<br>The groups will be submitted to 12 sessions of phototherapy held twice a week for six weeks, during which only the researcher in charge of programming the phototherapy device will be aware of which treatment is being employed. However, the programmer will not participate in the execution of the treatments, evaluations or data analysis. | Radiation: LED therapy<br>* The groups will be submitted to 12 sessions of phototherapy held twice a week for six weeks, during which only the researcher in charge of programming the phototherapy device will be aware of which treatment is being employed. However, the programmer will not participate in the execution of the treatments, evaluations or data analysis.<br>|
| Experimental: Laser group<br>The groups will be submitted to 12 sessions of phototherapy held twice a week for six weeks, during which only the researcher in charge of programming the phototherapy device will be aware of which treatment is being employed. However, the programmer will not participate in the execution of the treatments, evaluations or data analysis. | Radiation: Laser Therapy<br>* The groups will be submitted to 12 sessions of phototherapy held twice a week for six weeks, during which only the researcher in charge of programming the phototherapy device will be aware of which treatment is being employed. However, the programmer will not participate in the execution of the treatments, evaluations or data analysis.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Analog Scale | This scale will be used for the assessment of pain and consists of a 10-cm line with 0 (absence of pain) printed at one end and 10 (debilitating pain) printed at the other end. The participants will be asked to mark a place on the line that represents their current pain intensity. The researcher will subsequently use a ruler to register the distance from zero to obtain a numeric representation of the pain level. These procedures will be performed before and immediately after treatment. | Through study completion, an average of 1 year. |