Self-Massage and Low-Level Laser in Treatment of Masseter Myalgia: Short-Term Effect

The aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of massage in the treatment of masseter myalgia compared with biostimulatory laser.

The instrument Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was used to select subjects and monitor treatment outcome. 54 subjects with masseter myalgia of more than 3 months in duration were invited to participated and 42 cases were available at the end and analyzed. Age range was 16-67 years (median 33, interquartile range 25-53), 36% subjects was ≥40 years and there were 62% females in both groups. Both treatment groups (self-massage and laser) had 21 participants and were monitored one months after the start of treatment. Age, gender, distress, somatization, catastrophizing, hypervigilance, health competence and oral parafunctions were also assessed as factors that could influence effectiveness of treatment.

Laser and massage are effective in reducing symptoms of chronic myalgia of the masseter in self-reported limitation of jaw function and reducing pain intensities (p<0.001). Increase of mouth opening was present in both groups, but mainly significant in laser group. The differences in the amount of change between groups were not significant. Psychological characteristics and parafunctions, present before the treatment, age and gender did not have major affect the effectiveness of treatment.

Both treatment modalities are effective in treatment of chronic myalgia in short-term.