Evaluation of the analgesic effect of laser therapy at acupuncture points in orthodontic patients.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points on pain mechanisms caused by orthodontic separators, comparing it to local laser therapy and placebo.
Results Summary
The study found that laser therapy at acupuncture points was as effective as local laser therapy in reducing pain from orthodontic separators, with both being significantly more effective than placebo. No significant difference in pain perception was observed between genders or between the two laser therapy groups.
Population
162 healthy adult volunteers over the age of 18 with orthodontic separators installed to stimulate pain.
Effective Dosage
Diode laser (808 nm, 100 mW) applied for 40 s (4 J energy) at acupuncture points (LI4, EX2, LI6, LI11, LU7) or local molars.
Duration
Acute intervention (single application).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points | decrease | pain | healthy adult volunteers over the age of 18 | - | yields results similar to laser therapy for pain induced by the installation of orthodontic separators | #1 |
low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points | decrease | pain | healthy adult volunteers over the age of 18 | - | more effective than placebo treatment | #2 |
laser therapy at local points (on molars with orthodontic separators) | decrease | pain | healthy adult volunteers over the age of 18 | - | more effective than placebo treatment | #3 |
low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points | no change | pain perception | between genders | - | no significant difference | #4 |
low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points | no change | pain intensity | between the groups that received laser therapy at acupuncture points and local points | - | difference was not statistically significant | #5 |
Photobiomodulation and laser acupuncture are pain management treatments, offering safe, non-invasive options for patients seeking alternatives to conventional treatments. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy at acupuncture points on pain mechanisms caused by orthodontic separators. For the study, 162 healthy adult volunteers over the age of 18 were selected. Orthodontic separators were installed to stimulate pain. The volunteers were divided into three groups: Group 1 received diode laser (808 nm, 100 mW) at acupuncture points for 40 s (4 J energy), Group 2 received diode laser (808 nm, 100 mW) on molars with orthodontic separators for 40 s (4 J energy), and Group 3 received a placebo at acupuncture points. The acupuncture points used were: LI4 (Hegu), EX2 (Yintang), LI6 (Pianli), LI11 (Quchi), and LU7 (Lieque). A modified Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain levels. To evaluate differences in pain intensity between groups and over time, the Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference in pain intensity between groups over time (p < 0.001). No significant difference in pain perception was observed between genders (p = 0.943). The difference between the groups that received laser therapy at acupuncture points and local points was not statistically significant (p = 0.272). It can be concluded that laser therapy at acupuncture points yields results similar to laser therapy for pain induced by the installation of orthodontic separators, with both being more effective than placebo treatment.