Assessment of anti-inflammatory effect of 830nm laser light in acute myofascial pain of temporomandibular joint origin using c-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels

ABSTRACT

This study was a randomized blind study performed on twenty adult patients with acute myo-lascial pain of ternporomandibular joint origin. The patients were randomly and equally divided into two treatment groups. In addition to the standard antiinflammatory regimen received in both groups, Group A patients! mean age 33.6 years received laser therapy in the form of 830 nm soft laser of 80 mWatt power maximum output in contact mode in the joint articulation and musculature three times a week for a total period of three weeks [nine sessions]. Group B patients [mean age 28.4 years] received sham laser [0 m1/cm2] Clinical parameters as maximal interincisal opening, lateral movements of the jaw, number of tender points, visual(sensual) analogue scale as well as hae-matological indices such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were all measured and recorded to assess treatment over a period of three weeks. This study has demonstrated a statistically significant superiority [ p < 0.05]of results and improvement of symptoms in patients re-cemrvg, compared were restricted to values did not differ significantly and showed a more symmetrical distribution for both groups. It can therefore be deduced, based on the results demonstrated in this study that LILT in acute myofascial pain of TMJ origin is a successful treatment modality and that while CRP values could be extremely useful in ascertaining the diagnosis of an acute case, ESR can be much more useful in monitoring the response to treatment