Low intensity laser therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: A double-blind study

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy (LILT) in 30 patients presenting temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and mandibular dysfunction in a random and double-blind research design. The sample, divided into experimental group (1) and placebo group (2), was submitted to the treatment with infrared laser (780 nm, 30 mW, 10 s, 6.3 J/cm2) at three TMJ points. The treatment was evaluated throughout six sessions and 15, 30 and 60 days after the end of the therapy, through visual analogue scale (VAS), range of mandibular movements and TMJ pressure pain threshold. The results showed a reduction in VAS (p < 0.001) and through the ANOVA with repeated measures it was observed that the groups did not present statistically significant differences (P = 0.2060), as the averages of the evaluation times (P = 0.3955) and the interaction groups evaluation times (P = 0.3024), considering the MVO. The same occurred for RLE (P = 0.2988, P = 0.1762 and P = 0.7970), LLE (P = 0.3265, P = 0.4143 and P = 0.0696), PPTD (P = 0.1558, P = 0.4695 and P = 0.0737) and PPTE (P = 0.2376, P = 0.3203 and P = 0.0624). For PE, there were not statistically significant differences for groups (P = 0.7017) and the interaction groups evaluation times (P = 0.6678), even so in both groups the PE varied with time (P = 0.0069). © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Evaluation of microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (mens) effectiveness on muscle pain in temporomandibular disorders patients

The effect of Microcurrent Electrical Nerve Stimulation (MENS) was evaluated and compared with occlusal splint therapy in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients with muscle pain. Twenty TMD patients were divided into four groups. One received occlusal splint therapy and MENS (I); other received splints and placebo MENS (II); the third, only MENS (III) and the last group, placebo MENS (IV). Sensitivity derived from muscle palpation was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. Results were submitted to analysis of variance (p<0.05). There was reduction of pain level in all groups: group I (occlusal splint and MENS) had a 47.7% reduction rate; group II (occlusal splint and placebo MENS), 66.7%; group III (MENS), 49.7% and group IV (placebo MENS), 16.5%. In spite of that, there was no statistical difference (analysis of variance / p<0.05) between MENS and occlusal splint therapy regarding muscle pain reduction in TMD patients after four weeks.

Sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorder: Clinical and polysomnographic evaluation

Objective: To seek better understanding of chronic musculoskeletal facial pain and its relation to sleep bruxism, by comparing patients with sleep bruxism, with and without temporomandibular disorder. Design: Forty sleep bruxism patients were evaluated according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders: group A-20 patients with myofascial pain, 3 men, 17 women; average age 32.7 yr; mean duration of pain 4.37 yr; group B-20 without myofascial pain, 5 men, 15 women; average age 30.8 yr. Sleep and bruxism were evaluated in one-night polysomnography. Results: There were no statistically significant differences for bruxism and sleep variables of the two groups: number of bursts and bruxism episodes per hour, amplitude and duration of bruxism episodes, sleep efficiency and latency, percentage of non-REM and REM sleep, respiratory events, periodic limb movements, and micro-arousals. Conclusions: The polysomnographic characteristics of patients with sleep bruxism, with and without orofacial pain, are similar. More studies are necessary to clarify the reasons why some sleep bruxism patients develop chronic myofascial pain, and others do not. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Estrategias de articulación de políticas sociales

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Cuestiones a tener en cuenta para una articulación y gestión eficaz de políticas sociales en América Latina

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Evaluation of temporomandibular joint noise in partially edentulous patients.

In order to evaluate the presence of TMD (temporomandibular disorder), dissatisfaction related to the use of removable partial dentures (RPD) and the effect of the treatment on temporomandibular joint noises, 13 female patients with Kennedy class I and II mandibular arch were selected. Another 13 young, asymptomatic, dentate patients, also female, were used as reference. After four years, 38.4% were found to have a moderate or severe degree of TMD. Over the four years, the degree of TMD increased in 46.15% of the patients, was not affected in 20.07%, while in 15.38% it decreased or the patients remained free from signs and symptoms. About 30% of the patients at the second year and 46% after the fourth year, had complaints regarding retention and stability. It was concluded that there is no relationship between TMD and the condition of partially edentulous Kennedy class I and II, but patient dissatisfaction increased after the second year and temporomandibular joint noise was reduced significantly with the replacement of the teeth.

Articulación productiva y pequeñas y medianas empresas: reflexiones a partir de algunos estudios de caso en América Latina

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Articulación productiva en el subsector vitivinícola chileno: el caso de la Asociación de Productores de Vinos Finos de Exportación (CHILEVID A.G.)

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Programas de fomento de la articulación productiva: experiencias en América Latina en los años noventa

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Aglomeraciones en torno a los recursos naturales en América Latina y el Caribe: políticas de articulación y articulación de políticas

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Clinical assessment of the efficacy of low-level laser therapy on muscle pain in women with temporomandibular dysfunction, by surface electromyography

The use of low-level laser (LLL) may be an useful tool to promote reduction of muscular pain caused by TMD. Aim: This study evaluated the immediate efficacy of low-level laser therapy on women reporting pain and diagnosed with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). Methods: Diode laser (GaAlAs) at 790 nm wavelength (infrared spectrum) was applied as experimental treatment. Irradiations of 1.5 J/cm2 were made at 4 points of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and of 3 J/cm2 at 3 points in the temporal muscle. An electromyographic (EMG) evaluation of the masseter and anterior temporal was done at the following intervals: before, immediately after, 5 min and 20 min after laser application. Results: Comparison of the electrical activity at the times of measurement revealed a statistically significant difference in masseter muscles before (P=0.025) and immediately after (P=0.013) LLLT. Conclusions: Both masseter and temporal muscles showed a reduction in the measured EMG activities at all times after LLLT, and the temporal muscle showed higher EMG activity than the masseter muscle at all the evaluation times. LLLT caused significant immediate relaxation of the masseter muscles.

Las políticas de promoción de la competitividad en la Argentina: principales instituciones e instrumentos de apoyo y mecanismos de articulación público-privada

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Clusters y políticas de articulación productiva en América Latina

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Experiencias de articulación entre los sectores público y privado para la implementación de tratados de libre comercio

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Políticas de articulación productiva: enfoques y resultados

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