Comparison of acupuncture and low-level laser for myofascial pain: A pilot study randomized trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i4.48650Keywords:
Myofascial pain syndromes; Acupuncture; Laser therapy; Electromyography.Abstract
Myofascial pain in Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) involves hypersensitive facial muscle trigger points, affecting quality of life. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and low-level laser therapy for TMD-related pain relief. A randomized controlled trial with 14 participants (10 females, 4 males; mean age 29.5 years) divided into two groups (n=7). Group 1 received ten 20-minute acupuncture sessions every 48 hours, while Group 2 underwent low-power infrared laser therapy (790 nm, 120 mW) on the same schedule. Pain was assessed using a 0–10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and neuromuscular activity via bilateral electromyography (EMG) of the temporal and masseter muscles. Statistical analysis used SPSS 22.0 with Wilcoxon and paired t-tests (p<0.05). Both treatments significantly reduced subjective pain perception (VAS: Acupuncture 6.57 to 0.14; Laser 6.00 to 1.20), with no significant difference between groups. However, neither therapy significantly decreased neuromuscular activity in the temporal and masseter muscles, although acupuncture showed a trend toward reduced temporal muscle activity during clenching. Acupuncture and low-level laser therapy effectively reduced pain in patients with myofascial TMD. Despite differences in neuromuscular patterns, neither treatment significantly altered muscle activity, warranting further research to explore their underlying mechanisms.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Renan Leonardi de Oliveira Rigotti; Luana de Góes Soares; Larissa Doalla de Almeida-Silva; Ana Carolina Coelho-Oliveira; Simone Gomes Dias-Oliveira; Fábio Luiz Mendonça Martins; Rodrigo Galo
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