engleski

Self-management and low-level laser in treatment of masseter myalgia: short term effect

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of self- management (counselling, home self-massage and thermal therapy) in the treatment of masseter myalgia compared with biostimulatory laser. Materials and methods: The instrument Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was used to select subjects and monitor treatment outcome. Fifty-four subjects with masseter myalgia of more than 3 months in duration were invited to participate and 42 cases were available at the end and analyzed. Age range was 16-67 years (median 33, interquartile range 25-53), 36% subjects were ≥40 years and there were 62% females in both groups. Both treatment groups (self-management and laser) had 21 participants and were monitored during one month after the start of treatment. Age, gender, distress, somatization, catastrophizing, hypervigilance, health competence and oral parafunctions were also assessed as factors that could influence effectiveness of treatment. Results: Laser and self-management are effective in reducing symptoms of chronic myalgia of the masseter in self-reported limitation of jaw function and reducing pain intensity (p<0.001). Increase of mouth opening was present in both groups, but mainly significant in laser group. The differences in the amount of change between groups were not significant. Psychological characteristics and parafunctions, present before the treatment, age and gender did not have major influence on the effectiveness of treatment. Conclusion: Both treatment modalities are effective in treatment of chronic myalgia in short-term.

Catastrophizing ; Distress ; Facial pain ; Physical therapy ; Temporomandibular joint disorder

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