Evaluation of effect of low-level laser therapy on adolescents with temporomandibular disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

• Grant number: 13/15966-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Kalil Bussadori
• Grantee: Sandra Kalil Bussadori
• Host Institution: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Campus Memorial. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A number of problems involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The aim of the proposed study is to assess the effect of low-level laser therapy on occlusal contacts, mandibular movements, electromyography activity in the muscles of mastication and pain in adolescents with TMD. Methods/design: A randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial will be carried out involving 85 male and female adolescents between 15 and 18 years of age. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD will be administered to all individuals who agree to participate. All participants will be submitted to a clinical exam and electromyographic analysis of the masseter muscles and anterior bundle of the temporal muscles bilaterally for the determination of TMD. Based on the clinical findings, the participants will be classified as having or not having TMD. Those with TMD will be divided into four groups, three of which will receive low-level laser therapy and one will receive a placebo treatment. The treatments will involve the TMJ region, masseter and temporal muscles and mixed treatment. The data will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test will be used for the determination of associations among the categorical variables. The Student's t-test and analysis of variance will be used for the comparison of mean electromyographic signals. Pearson's correlation coefficients will be calculated for the analysis of correlations among the continuous variables. Trial registration: The protocol for this study has been submitted to Clinical Trials - registration number NCT01846000.Grants FAPESP n° 2012/07759-0 (AU)