Dr. Adams' Alabama Headache Blog

A recent abstract discussed the limited studies have demonstrated that low intensity laser therapy (LILT) may have a therapeutic effect on the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Sixty (60) patients with MPS and having one active trigger point in the anterior masseter and anterior temporal muscles were selected and assigned randomly to six groups (n=10): Groups 1 to 3 were treated with GaAIAS (780 nm) laser, applied in continuous mode and in a meticulous way, twice a week, for four weeks. Energy was set to 25 J/cm2, 60 J/cm2, and 105 J/cm2, respectively. Pain scores were assessed just before, then immdeiately after the fourth application, immediately after the eighth application, at 15 days and at one month following treatment. A significant pain reduction was observed over time (p<0.001). The analgesic effect of the LILT was similar to the placebo groups. Using the parameters described in this experiment, LILT was effective in reducing pain experienced by patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Thus, it was not possible to establish a treatment protocol. Analyzing the analgesic effect of the LILT suggests it is a possible treatment of MPS and may help to establish a clinical protocol for this therapeutic modality.