(LBP) in cases of arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
with or without drug therapy with Piroxicam.
Methods : We randomly allocated into three treatment groups 32
patients with arthralgia (group III) according to RDC / TMD. The
Group A comprised 11 patients, received LBP and Piroxicam placebo. The
Group B consisted of 10 patients that received LBP placebo and Piroxicam.
And Group C consisted of 11 patients and received both LBP and Piroxicam .
The protocol used for the laser was energy density of 100J/cm2,
power of 100mW, 2.8 J of energy per point, during 28 seconds.
Were irradiated ATM, the masseter and temporal muscles, both bilateral in 2 sessions
a week for 2 weeks. Piroxicam was administered at a dose of 20 mg
once daily for 10 days. To evaluate the analgesic effect was used
visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain before and after each session of laser therapy,
and after 30 days of completion of treatment.
Results: The three treatments were effective at reducing the pain reported
by the patient, with significant differences between the pain reported before the
treatment and after completion of treatment, p = 0.0038 for group A,
p = 0.0039 for group B, p = 0.0059 for Group C. However, there was
differences between the groups. After 30 days, there was a significant increase
(p = 0.0232) of pain for patients in group A.
Conclusions: Piroxicam and LBP are effective at reducing pain in patients
with TMJ arthralgia, with no differences between them. LBP did not show
residual effect after 30 days of completion of treatment.