Comparative effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomised Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain is one of the most common facial region pains, presenting itself with various signs and symptoms like tenderness of masticatory muscles and difficulty in mouth opening. Considering its multifactorial aetiology various treatment modalities are present. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the patients of temporomandibular disorders (TMDS). METHODS: The study was conducted with 20 patients diagnosed with TMDS. Group A received LLLT at 660 nm, 6 J/point, two sessions/week for 4 weeks and group B received TENS at 2-250 Hz, two sessions/week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Pain Score decreased and mouth opening increased in both groups with time, however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Right and left lateral excursions showed improvement at different intervals in both groups. However, the LLLT group showed significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Clinical trial showed improvement in visual analogue scale (VAS), maximum mouth opening (MMO) and lateral excursion in the different time intervals in both the groups with LLLT showed more improvement with lateral excursions movements.