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DG DISPATCH - OPTD: Low-Level Laser Effective For Myofascial Pain By Maggie Schwarz Special to DG News WASHINGTON, DC - March 23, 2001 -- Low-level laser therapy appears to be an effective modality for myofascial trigger points and can make a real difference for patients with myofascial pain, researchers reported here at the 26th Annual Scientific Meeting on Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders. Soo Hyun Cho, DDS, Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea, presented research on low-level laser therapy for the trigger points of myofascial pain on Friday (March 23). The effect of this therapy on trigger points was evaluated and compared with placebo. Thirty-nine men and 30 women were randomly assigned to either low-level or sham laser therapy. Study patients were irradiated twice the first week and once a week during the following three weeks using GaA1As diode laser (50 mW, 820 nm, and 2 J for 80 seconds at each session). Controls were subjected to the same procedure using sham laser. Trigger points measured were in the masseter, temporalis and trapezius muscles. Clinical response was assessed by pressure pain threshold measurement. In the first study, a statistically significant increase in pain threshold was more prominent in the low-level laser therapy group (p<.05). Difference increased gradually with subsequent treatment sessions (p<.001) but no significant increase was found with the sham treatment. In the second study, the significant increase in pain threshold values was higher in the low-level laser group than in the sham group (p<.05); no statistical difference after laser irradiation was seen in either group. Dr. Cho concluded by saying that low-level laser therapy appears to be an effective modality for myofascial trigger points, as it’s efficacy was superior to the placebo response. "This can make a real difference for patients with myofascial pain," Dr. Cho said. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version