Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38722392›Full record

SynthesisLasers in medical science2024

Effectiveness of photobiomodulation and orofacial myofunctional therapy in orofacial pain disorders. A systematic review of randomized control trials.

Maryam Altuhafy, Shahneel Ahmed, Luay Jabr, Junad Khan

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Lasers in medical science, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Photobiomodulation therapy.JADA foundational science · 2025
    Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Maryam AltuhafyDepartment of Orofacial Pain and TMJ Disorders, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7025-5728
Shahneel AhmedDepartment of Orofacial Pain and TMJ Disorders, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
Luay JabrDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
Junad KhanDepartment of Orofacial Pain and TMJ Disorders, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. Junad_khan@urmc.rochester.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3107-6118

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Orofacial pain can significantly affect physical, psychological, and overall quality of life. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of combining photobiomodulation (PBM) with orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) in managing orofacial pain disorders. An electronic search of randomized controlled trials in electronic databases was performed until March 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on PBM and OMT for the management of orofacial pain were included. Risk of bias across individual studies was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for interventions. A total of 10 RCTs were included, out of which 7 RCTs revealed that the combined approach of PBM and OMT had a more pronounced impact on diminishing pain and enhancing functional activity in patients with orofacial disorders. One study reported significant increases in pressure pain threshold for TMJ, masseter, and anterior temporalis muscles at both sides in the post-treatment compared with the pre-treatment in both groups. The risk of bias was low in 7, moderate in 2, and high in 1 study. The efficacy of a combined modality treatment of PBM with OMT for orofacial pain disorder shows promising results. However, further randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up periods standardized PBM and OMT parameters are warranted to obtain firm conclusions.

Indexed as

Facial PainLow-Level Light TherapyMyofunctional TherapyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicCombined Modality TherapyHumansQuality of LifeTreatment OutcomeCombined Modality TherapyFacial Exerciseslow-level laser therapyorofacial functionsoromandibular disordersPhotobiomodulationrehabilitationTemporomandibular Joint disorders

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.