Short-term effects of vascular photobiomodulation on temporomandibular disorders in children: a randomized, controlled, single-blind pilot study.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are highly prevalent among children, the signs and symptoms of which include muscle pain, ringing in the ears, limited vertical movement of the jaw and deviated mouth opening. Recent studies have demonstrated that low level laser irradiation of the blood stream, which is denominated vascular photobiomodulation (VPBM), can diminish pain and inflammation and has sedative and systemic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of VPBM on the reduction in pain and increase in the vertical movement of the jaw in children with TMDs. Children 6 to 9 years of age with a diagnosis of TMDs were randomly allocated to two groups. Group 1 (active VPBM) was submitted to transcutaneous, direct laser irradiation of the radial artery through a bracelet to which the laser beam was administered in a single 20-minute session. Group 2 was submitted to placebo VPBM. The participants in both groups were reassessed immediately after the session with the same assessment methods used prior to the intervention. The results revealed a reduction in pain in both groups, but the reduction was significantly greater in the VPBM group. No changes occurred in the movements of the jaw. In conclusion, active VPBM led to a greater reduction in pain in children with TMDs. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings, and further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these results.