with Treatment-Resistant Temporomandibular Disorders
Reference
PMC4201549 (Ref ID)
Chosen Image filename: PMC4201549_Figure_01.jpg
Document structure and format:
I. Introduction
In the research paper titled "Laser Acupuncture Therapy in Patients with Treatment-Resistant Temporomandibular Disorders," the authors investigate the clinical effects of laser acupuncture therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after unsuccessful previous treatments. TMD is a collective term for various disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint and facial muscles, causing significant pain and impairments in daily life. The study aims to determine whether laser acupuncture therapy can alleviate the symptoms of treatment-resistant TMD.
II. Methodology
The study utilized a retrospective observational design, involving 29 TMD patients who had not responded to previous treatments. Data collection involved treating the patients three times per week for four weeks using the Handylaser Trion, a laser diode device. The specific acupoints targeted were ST7, ST6, LI4, and Ashi points near the temporomandibular joint and masseter muscles. The outcomes measured were pain intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS) and maximal mouth opening (MMO). Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
III. Results
The findings of the study showed that laser acupuncture therapy resulted in significant improvements in pain relief and MMO for both acute and chronic TMD patients. The number of treatment sessions required varied, with acute TMD patients reporting pain relief after an average of 5.90 sessions, while chronic TMD patients required 16.21 sessions. The VAS scores for pain intensity on palpation of the temporomandibular joint and MMO showed statistically significant improvements.
IV. Discussion
The results of the study indicate that laser acupuncture therapy effectively improves the symptoms of treatment-resistant TMD. The findings support the use of laser acupuncture as a potential adjunctive treatment option for TMD patients who have not benefitted from previous interventions. However, the study acknowledges the need for further research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods to fully evaluate the efficacy of laser acupuncture therapy for TMD.
V. Conclusion
In conclusion, this research paper demonstrates the positive effects of laser acupuncture therapy in treating treatment-resistant temporomandibular disorders. The study highlights the potential of laser acupuncture as a non-invasive and effective treatment option for TMD patients. Further research is required to validate these findings and explore the long-term benefits of laser acupuncture therapy in a larger patient population.
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