Piroxicam and laser phototherapy in the treatment of TMJ arthralgia: a double‐blind randomised controlled trial

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of piroxicam associated with low-level laser therapy compared with single therapies in 32 patients presenting temporomandibular joint arthralgia in a random and double-blind research design. The sample, divided into laser + piroxicam, laser + placebo piroxicam and placebo laser + piroxicam groups, was submitted to the treatment with infrared laser (830nm, 100 mW, 28s, 100Jcm(-2) ) at 10 temporomandibular joint and muscle points on each side during four sessions concomitant to take one capsule a day of piroxicam 20mg during 10days. The treatment was evaluated throughout four sessions and 30days follow-up through visual analogue scale (VAS), maximum mouth opening and joint and muscle (temporal and masseter) pain on palpation. The results showed that all the study groups had a significant improvement in the VAS scores (P<0·05), and there were no significant group differences. Piroxicam was effective in the reduction of joint and muscle pain on palpation (P<0·05) and showed the lowest temporal pain (P=0·02) at the 30-day follow-up. The combination of low-level laser therapy and piroxicam was not more effective than single therapies in the treatment of temporomandibular joint arthralgia. The use of piroxicam was more effective in the following 30days.