Effects of photobiomodulation combined with orofacial myofunctional therapy on the quality of life of individuals with temporomandibular disorder

PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of photobiomodulation combined with orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) on the oral health quality of life (OHQOL) of individuals with temporomandibular disorder, before and after the treatment. METHODS: Blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial with 34 volunteers randomly distributed into two groups: G1, who received OMT combined with photobiomodulation, and G2, treated with OMT combined with inactive laser. The subjects were first assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) to classify them according to the degree of orofacial pain and with the Oral Health Impact Profile – Short Form (OHIP-14) regarding the impact on the OHQOL. The resulting data were statistically analyzed. The significance level was set at 0.05 (95%). RESULTS: “Physical pain”, “psychological discomfort”, “physical disability”, and “psychological disability” were the aspects with the greatest impact on the OHQOL. The G1 subjects responded positively to their treatment, as well as G2 to theirs. There was a strong positive correlation between VAS and total OHIP-14 score in both groups after the treatment. However, the functional recovery in the control group individuals (G2) was the most perceived positive change in the OHQOL in comparison with the experimental group (G1). CONCLUSION: The people who received photobiomodulation combined with OMT perceived an improvement in the OHQOL, as well as those treated with placebo laser. There was a strong positive correlation in both groups in the improvement of the degree of pain and self-perception of the OHQOL.