Low Level Laser Therapy versus Therabite Exercises on Pain and Range of Motion Post Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis

Abstract

After arthrocentesis, this study evaluated the therapeutic effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) vs therabite exercises on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and range of motion (ROM) to measure the rate of improvement in clinical symptoms in patients with TMJ problems.

Methods: The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity, digital Vernier caliper to measure maximal mouth opening (MMO) and the therabite ROM scale to measure lateral mouth movement (LMM) were used. Sixty subjects of both sexes (25 - 55 years) complaining of TMJ pain and limited ROM after arthrocentesis took involved in the research.Patients have been randomly assigned to three groups, each with an equal number of patients; Group A received LLLT with intensity of 4.3 J/cm². It was applied three times a week for four weeks over the affected masseter muscle, along with conventional exercise therapy and medical care. Group B received therabite exercises consisting of four weeks structured exercise program five times/day with the conventional exercises and medical care. Group C received conventional exercises and medical care five times/day for four weeks. Measurements were done before the initial therapy and at the termination of the fourth week of therapy.

Results: The results revealed a significant drop in VAS and an increase in MMO and LMM in the three groups after therapy compared to before therapy (p < 0.001). The percent of decrease of VAS of group A, B and C was 63.7, 45.58 and 14.77% respectively. The percent of increase of MMO and LMM of group A was 84.24 and 74.63% respectively and that of group B was 46.93 and 51.2% respectively while that of group C was 13.2 and 31.5% respectively.

Conclusion: Both LLLT and therabite exercises were advantageous and fruitful in decreasing the TMJ pain and significantly improved ROM after arthrocentesis but the LLLT was more effective