The Light or the Pill: Unpacking Treatment Options for Myogenous Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Abstract
Abstract Purpose Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common musculoskeletal conditions causing orofacial pain and restricted jaw function. While pharmacological agents provide relief, they carry systemic side effects, and photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a non-invasive alternative with limited direct comparisons to combination pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of 1064 nm PBM versus combination pharmacotherapy in managing myogenous temporomandibular disorders. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 30 patients (18–60 years) diagnosed with myogenous TMD per DC/TMD criteria, presenting with masseter and/or temporalis muscle pain, were randomized into two equal groups. Group A received 1064 nm PBM on alternate days; Group B received a combination of oral ibuprofen (400 mg), paracetamol (325 mg), and chlorzoxazone (250 mg) twice daily for 7 days. Pain (VAS) and maximal mouth opening (MMO) were assessed at baseline and one week post-treatment and follow up for one month. Results All 30 patients completed the study. Post-treatment VAS scores showed no significant difference between the PBM (2.47 ± 2.07) and combination pharmacotherapy (1.47 ± 1.46) groups (p = 0.137). MMO improvement was significantly greater in the PBM group (51.47 ± 4.34 mm) than the combination pharmacotherapy group (46.93 ± 5.81 mm) (p = 0.022). No adverse events were reported in either group. Conclusion 1064 nm PBM achieved pain relief comparable to combination…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 30 participants or records.
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