Influence of Phototherapy on Thermographic Images and Pain in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
Temporomandibular disorder is characterized by a set of clinical conditions
involving the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint and associated structures.
Pain is one of the most common and limiting clinical manifestations
of this disorder1 and can compromise both quality of life and sleep,
all of which are related to psychological aspects, such as depressive states, anxiety and stress.
The best clinical approach to patients with TMD involves a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including a physiotherapist. A number of studies have addressed the use of physiotherapeutic resources for individuals with this disorder, such as electrotherapy,
laser therapy6,7 and manual therapies.
Phototherapy has been employed in such cases as a biomodulating
agent capable of promoting analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects through
the induction of cellular and systemic responses.
The effect of phototherapy may be explained by the increase in beta-endorphins,
reduction in bradykinin and the release of histamine, increase in lymphatic flow,
reductions in swelling and pain-producing substances, increase in blood flow, reduction
in the duration of inflammation and the promotion of muscle relaxation.
Thermography allows mapping the body or a segment of the body to distinguish
areas with different temperatures. This method allows the visualization of light
in the infrared spectrum.
A number of positive effects have been identified with the use of L-level laser
therapy in different adverse health conditions due to its capacity to penetrate tissues,
thereby influencing the synthesis, release and metabolism of signaling substances involved in analgesia.
Hotta, et al. found improvements in patients with TMD following the administration
of LLLT, but other authors have not reported satisfactory results.
Dent Open J. 2015; 2(2): 66-73. doi: 10.17140/DOJ-2-113
