Effect of low-level gallium aluminum arsenide laser therapy on the chewing performance and pain perception of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Merve Benli; Olivier Huck; Mutlu Özcan

doi:10.1080/08869634.2021.1971888

Effect of low-level gallium aluminum arsenide laser therapy on the chewing performance and pain perception of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Cranio. 2021 Aug 29:1-10. doi: 10.1080/08869634.2021.1971888. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Merve Benli^{1

2}, Olivier Huck^{3

4}, Mutlu Özcan⁵

Affiliations

¹ University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
² Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics, Istanbul, Turkey.
³ Inserm, Umr 1260 'Osteoarticular and Dental Regenerative Nanomedicine', Faculty of Medicine, Strasbourg, France.
⁴ University of Strasbourg, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Strasbourg, France.
⁵ University of Zurich, Dental Materials Unit, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Materials Science, Zurich, Switzerland.

PMID: 34455912
DOI: 10.1080/08869634.2021.1971888

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain intensity (PI) and chewing performance (CP) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with myogenic temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Methods: Ninety-one patients were randomly allocated to three groups: Group L (intervention), Group P (placebo), and Group C (control). Outcomes were PI (assessed with visual analog scale (VAS)) and CP (assessed with the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of crushed test food). Measurements were performed at T0 (before the LLLT), T1 (immediately after the LLLT), and T2 (1-month follow-up). Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Models, Kruskal-Wallis, and Friedman tests.

Results: For T1 and T2, Group L demonstrated the lowest values for both GMD (6283.7 ± 257.2 µm; 6382.7 ± 303.7 µm) and VAS (5;6) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: LLLT was an effective therapeutic approach in reducing pain and improving CP for one month in SLE patients with myogenic TMD.

Keywords: Pain; lasers; low-level light therapy; lupus erythematosus; mastication.