Comparison of the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and low-level laser therapy on drug-resistant temporomandibular disorders

Statement of the Problem: Temporomandibular disorder [TMD] is a clinical term used for clinical signs and symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and associated structures. Surgical and non-surgical treatments can be used for management of TMD. Non-surgical route is the main part of the treatment, since clinicians prefer non-aggressive treatment for TMD such as pharmacological and physical therapy. Low-level laser therapy [LLLT] and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] are the main procedures in physical therapy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS and LLLT in treatment of TMD patients who did not respond to pharmacological therapy

Materials and Method: This clinical trial was performed on 45 patients who randomly received either TENS or LLLT for 8 sessions. LLLT was applied with diode laser [Ga-Al-As, 980nm, dose 5micro/cm[2]] and TENS by using two carbon electrodes with 75 Hz frequency [0.75 msec pulse width]

Helkimo index and visual analogue scale [VAS] were measured during the treatment period and throughout the follow-up sessions

Results: Significant reduction in the VAS and Helkimo index was observed in both TENS and LLLT group. There was no significant difference between the two methods during the treatment; however, TENS was more effective in pain reduction in follow-ups

Conclusion: This study justified the use of TENS therapy as well as LLLT in drug-resistant TMD. Both were useful in relieving the pain and muscles tenderness, although, TENS was more effective than LLLT

Prevalence of leg pain among female hairdressers: a case study in Shiraz in 2010

Purpose: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is increasing worldwide. This survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of leg pain among female hairdressers in Shiraz, Iran, in 2010

Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study that was conducted on female hairdressers in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 239 hairdressers were selected by available sampling method. Data were collected by interview and a questionnaire regarding their age, body mass index, marital status, experience, total work time, positions during work [sitting and standing], daily exercise, types of shoes worn during work, and use of arch support. Also existence of pain in feet and legs was evaluated. We used descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to analyze the collected data. The statistical analyses were done by SPSS version 16

Results: About 30.1% of subjects had a BMI lower than 18 and 56.1% of them were married. Also 38.9% of subjects had a total work time of more than 8 hours per day and 69.5% of them worked in the standing position. According to the results, 53.1% of the subjects worn ordinary sandals and only 8.4% of them used arch support. Majority of the subjects [70.7%] reported pain in their feet and legs. The result also revealed the significant correlation between pain prevalence and age, BMI, marital status, total work time per day, and type of shoes worn during the work. Also, married people reported pain more

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, several factors are associated with discomforts in the legs and feet among hairdressers. Therefore, hairdressing training in correct work procedures and modifying work conditions such as designing a proper chair, reducing working hours, use of medical shoes and sandals can prevent the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in this occupational group