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Comparative Effectiveness of Standard and Modified Laser Therapy in Myofascial Pain Management.

Comparative Effectiveness of Standard and Modified Laser Therapy in Myofascial Pain Management: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07531654
Enrollment
40
Registered
2026-04-15
Start date
2026-05-01
Completion date
2026-12-12
Last updated
2026-04-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of modified laser therapy versus conventional laser therapy in managing pain and mandibular function in patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome involving the masseter muscles. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) provide a greater reduction in pain intensity on a numerical rating scale (NRS) compared to low-level laser therapy (LLLT)? 2. Does high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) provide greater improvement in functional outcomes, specifically maximal incisal opening, compared to low-level laser therapy (LLLT)? Comparison Group: Researchers will compare the experimental group receiving High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HLLT) to a comparator group receiving Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to see if the modified high-intensity approach provides superior pain relief and improved mandibular movement. Participants will: 1. Be randomly assigned to either the HILT or LLLT treatment group. 2. Undergo 12 laser irradiation sessions delivered over one month. 3. Have laser energy applied directly to the trigger points of the masseter muscles during 5-minute sessions. 4. Attend follow-up assessments at each session, and at intervals of 1, 3, and 6 months. 5. Provide pain ratings using a numerical scale and have their maximal mouth opening measured by a caliper.

Interventions

Laser energy density of 3 KJ will be applied to the masseter muscles using an epic-x940 nm diode laser, with 12 irradiation sessions delivered over one month. The mode of laser was a continuous wave irradiation for 5 minutes, distance to Tissue\~1 cm, and the area of the laser delivery tip was 5 cm2. The trigger point was identified within the affected muscle.

DEVICELow Level Laser Therapy

Laser energy density of 1.5 KJ will be applied to the masseter muscles using an epic-x940 nm diode laser (BioLase, USA), with 12 irradiation sessions delivered over one month. The mode of laser was a continuous wave irradiation for 5 minutes, distance to Tissue\~1 cm, and the area of the laser delivery tip was 5 cm2. The trigger point was identified within the affected muscle.

Sponsors

Cairo University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of myofascial temporomandibular disorder following the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). 2. Participants eligible for inclusion in this study must not have received any previous laser therapy for the management of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome or temporomandibular disorders like pharmacological therapy, physical therapy, manual techniques, and trigger point injections. 3. No previous laser therapy for last 3 months. 4. Pain localized to the masseter muscles. 5. Pain lasting at least 3 months with a self-reported pain level of 6 or higher on a numerical rating scale (NRS).

Exclusion criteria

1- Patients with TMJ pain, or those who had any previous treatment for TMD 2- Patients with any history of cervical or degenerative conditions, any surgery or trauma to the neck during last year 3- Previous treatment of MPDS during last year 4- Confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis 5- Patients with dark skin tone or chubby face

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Pain AssessmentPain will be assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest and during mouth opening at the following follow up time points: at each session, 1, 3 months and 6 months.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Maximal incisal openingMaximal incisal opening is measured at each session, 1, 3 months and 6 months.

Countries

Egypt

Contacts

CONTACTAyman M Gouda, Phd
ayman.gouda@dentistry.cu.edu.eg+0201006934468

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 16, 2026