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Current Pain and Headache Reports

22-04-2024 | Acupuncture | Alternative Treatments for Pain Medicine (C Robinson, Section Editor)

Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture for Reducing Pain and Increasing Mouth Opening Range in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Authors: Maria Marcelly Lúcio Mota, Igor Hudson Albuquerque e Aguiar, Anderson Silva de Lima, Olavo Barbosa de Oliveira Neto, Pâmela Lopes Pedro da Silva, Eduarda Correia Moretti, George Azevedo Lemos

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Laser acupuncture (LA) demonstrates promising results in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, its effects on temporomandibular disorder (TMD) are not yet fully understood. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of LA on pain intensity and maximum mouth opening range (MMO) related to TMD. A search was carried out in 11 electronic databases and references of included studies to locate randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated LA as a primary treatment for TMD. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Network meta-analysis was conducted on the MetaInsight platform, considering the pain intensity and counseling (C) as the outcome of reference. The GRADE system was used to assess the certainty of the evidence.

Recent Findings

Five studies evaluated pain intensity, four with a high risk of bias and one with a low risk. Two studies evaluated pain intensity on palpation (one with high and one with low risk of bias), and one study with high risk of bias evaluated MMO. Laser parameters were: 690–810 nm, 40–150 mW, and 7.5–112.5 J/cm2. Occlusal splint (OS) [− 2.47; CI 95% − 3.64, − 1.30] and Physiotherapy (PT) [–2.64; CI 95% − 3.94, − 1.34] reduced pain intensity compared to C. The ranking of treatments in order of effectiveness was PT > OS > LA > C > CR (craniopuncture). The certainty of the evidence was very low or low.

Summary

The data do not support the indication of LA for the treatment of TMDs and new placebo-controlled RCTs must be conducted to demonstrate its effectiveness more precisely.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture for Reducing Pain and Increasing Mouth Opening Range in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors
Maria Marcelly Lúcio Mota
Igor Hudson Albuquerque e Aguiar
Anderson Silva de Lima
Olavo Barbosa de Oliveira Neto
Pâmela Lopes Pedro da Silva
Eduarda Correia Moretti
George Azevedo Lemos
Publication date
22-04-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keywords
Acupuncture
Laser
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01251-5