A prospective study on the impact of various treatment modalities on myofascial trigger points in Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) patients

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of stabilization orthotic occlusal appliance (SA) therapy and photobiomodulation (PBM) in patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) through clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations. Patients were evaluated before and after treatment through clinical examinations and ultrasonography (US), with one group receiving SA therapy and the other PBM. Clinical assessments included pain levels, mouth opening, and mandibular movements, while ultrasonography focused on masseter muscle thickness and myofascial trigger point (MTrP) stiffness. Ultrasonographic evaluations showed significant within-group reductions in masseter muscle thickness in both the SA and PBM groups, while a statistically significant reduction in myofascial trigger point stiffness was observed only in the SA group. Clinical assessments demonstrated significant improvements in mandibular movements in both groups, with a significant increase in protrusive movement observed only in the PBM group, and a significant reduction in head and neck pain following PBM treatment. No statistically significant between-group differences were identified for ultrasonographic or clinical parameters. This study suggests that both PBM and occlusal SA therapy are associated with improvements in clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in patients with myofascial pain. Within-group analyses indicated reductions in MTrP sensitivity following SA therapy and improvements in mandibular function and regional pain following PBM treatment; however, no statistically significant between-group differences were identified. These findings suggest that PBM and SA may represent conservative treatment options that can be considered within individualized management strategies.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. BMC Oral Health, 2026 · DOI ↗