Lasers in medical science
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Lasers in medical science · Apr 2015
Clinical TrialEvaluation of pain, jaw movements, and psychosocial factors in elderly individuals with temporomandibular disorder under laser phototherapy.
Few studies have been carried out on the application of laser phototherapy (LPT) for treating painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in elderly population that is growing worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pain, jaw movements, and psychosocial factors in ten elderly patients with painful TMD before and after LPT. All patients were evaluated before and after LPT by using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD) axes I and II. ⋯ There were increase in maximum mouth opening without pain and reduction in muscle pain during right and left lateral excursion. A significant reduction in chronic pain severity (p = 0.02) and significant improvements in depression (p = 0.038) and nonspecific physical symptoms with pain (p = 0.0167) were observed. The present findings indicate that LPT is able to promote pain relief and improvement of jaw movements in elderly patients with TMD, with a positive effect on psychosocial aspects.
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Lasers in medical science · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparative clinical study of light analgesic effect on temporomandibular disorder (TMD) using red and infrared led therapy.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely applied in pain relief in several clinical situations, including temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the effects of LED therapy on TMD has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of red and infrared LEDs on: (1) tissue temperature in ex vivo and (2) pain relief and mandibular range of motion in patients with TMD. ⋯ There was no significant difference in pain scores and maximum oral aperture between groups at baseline or any periods after treatment (p ≥ 0.05). The current study showed that red and infrared LED therapy can be useful in improving outcomes related to pain relief and orofacial function for TMD patients. We conclude that LED devices constitute an attractive alternative for LLLT.
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Lasers in medical science · Jan 2015
Fluence-dependent effects of low-level laser therapy in myofascial trigger spots on modulation of biochemicals associated with pain in a rabbit model.
Evidence strongly supports that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective physical modality for the treatment of pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrP). However, the effect of laser fluence (energy intensity in J/cm(2)) on biochemical regulation related to pain is unclear. To better understand the biochemical mechanisms modulated by high- and low-fluence LLLT at myofascial trigger spots (MTrSs; similar to human MTrPs) in skeletal muscles of rabbits, the levels of β-endorphin (β-ep), substance P (SP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were investigated in this study. ⋯ LLLT with lower fluence of 4.5 J/cm(2) exerted lower levels of TNF-α and COX-2 expression in laser-treated muscle, but LLLT with higher fluence of 27 J/cm(2) elevated the levels of β-ep in serum, DRG, and muscle. This study demonstrated fluence-dependent biochemical effects of LLLT in an animal model on management of myofascial pain. The findings can contribute to the development of dosage guideline for LLLT for treating MTrP-induced pain.
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Lasers in medical science · Jan 2015
Effects of red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED on the healing process of third-degree burns: clinical and histological study in rats.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green light-emitting diode (LED) on the healing process of skin burns through clinical and histopathologic analysis in rats. For this, 100 animals were randomly divided into five groups: G1-untreated control (CTR), G2-red laser (LVER), G3-infrared (LINF), G4-photodynamic therapy (PDT), and G5-green LED. Burn was induced on the dorsum of the rat and the treatment of the experimental groups was red light (10 J/cm(2), 10 s, 40 mW, and λ660 nm), infrared (10 J/cm(2), 10 s, 40 mW, and λ780 nm), green LED irradiation (60 J/cm(2), 10 s, λ520, and 550 nm), and photodynamic therapy (10 J/cm(2), 40 mW, and λ660 nm), the latter combined with methylene blue photosensitizer at concentration 0.5 μg/mL. ⋯ Animals treated with LVER, LINF, PDT (p < 0.001), and LED (p < 0.05) stimulated production and maturation of collagen, and increased the consumption of food and water compared to the CTR (p < 0.001). Laser λ660 nm and λ780 nm showed the largest wound reductions in all groups (p = 0.001). In conclusion, red laser, infrared, photodynamic therapy, and green LED favored the healing process of third-degree burns in rats.
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Lasers in medical science · Jan 2015
Effects of tattoo ink's absorption spectra and particle size on cosmetic tattoo treatment efficacy using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
The mechanisms responsible for variable responses of cosmetic tattoos to Q-switched laser removal treatment remain unclear. We sought to investigate the properties of tattoo inks that may affect the efficacy of laser-assisted tattoo removal. The absorption of white, brown, and black inks before and after Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser irradiation were analyzed by a reflectance measurement system. ⋯ After laser treatment, white and brown tattoo particles were mixtures of large and small particles, while black particles showed overall reduction in number and size. Black tattoo ink's excellent response to Q-switched lasers was associated with its strong absorption and small particle size. White tattoo ink's poor response was associated with its poor absorption, even after laser darkening, and large particle size.