Clinical and functional efficacy of gallium–arsenide super pulsed laser therapy on temporo mandibular joint pain with orofacial myalgia following post healed unilateral cervicofacial burn — A randomized trial

Abstract Background Cervicofacial burn (CB) is a unique type of burn, involving the lateral part of the face, neck and chest region with significant skin contractures. Temporomandibular joint (TJ) pain and orofacial myalgia (OM) are the major problems in physiotherapy context to treat. Laser is commonly used as an adjunct therapy in painful conditions. However, there is a lack of clinical studies in investigating the effects of gallium–arsenide (Ga–As) super pulsed laser therapy on temporomandibular joint pain and orofacial myalgia following post healed cervicofacial burn patients. Objective To investigate the effects of clinical and functional efficacy of Ga–As super pulsed laser therapy on temporomandibular joint pain with orofacial myalgia following post healed cervicofacial burn patients. Methods Through two block random sampling method, the eligible participants were randomized and allocated into active laser (Active-L; n = 18) and placebo laser (Placebo-L; n = 18) groups. The Active-L group received laser treatment and the Placebo-L group received placebo laser effect (inactive laser) with regular physiotherapy care for 3 times in a week for 4 weeks. Primary (pain intensity, pain threshold, pain frequency) and secondary (mouth opening, disability level and quality of life) measures were measured at baseline, after the end 4th week, 8th week and 6 month follow up. Results Baseline subjective and clinical attributes show homogenous presentation among the study groups (p > 0.05). After four weeks of treatment, and at the end of 6 months follow up, the pain intensity, 2.9 (CI 95% 2.80–3.00), pain threshold 19.2 (CI 95% −30.4 to −7.9), pain frequency 3.4 (CI 95% 3.14–3.65), mouth opening, −16.0 (CI 95%−16.5 to −15.4), disability level 11.3 (CI 95%11.14–11.45), and quality of life −31.7 (CI 95%−37.1 to −26.2) showed more improvement (p  Conclusion The reports of this study proved that, four weeks active laser therapy with regular physiotherapy care has an ideal treatment protocol for temporomandibular joint pain with orofacial myalgia following post healed cervicofacial burn. This study also provided a new knowledge for physiotherapists in the field of temporomandibular joint pain rehabilitation.