Efficacy of different treatment methods in patients with myofascial pain syndrome

Purpose Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and occlusal splint therapy (OST) are treatment methods for myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPS). This study evaluates the effect of PBMT and OST on pain relief and mandibular function improvement in patients with MPS. Methods A retrospective study was conducted with the patients (35 women; age range, 18–60 years), who were treated at the Faculty of Dentistry, Trakya University, between 2017 and 2018. The patients were diagnosed with MPS and treated with PBMT (940 nm) or OST. Pain intensity and mandibular function were evaluated at the beginning of the treatments (t0), as well as 1 month (t1) and 2 months (t2) after the beginning of the treatments. Results Mandibular function improved significantly in both the PBMT (t0–t2 = − 2.15 ± 2.23, p = 0.007) and OST groups (t0–t2 = − 2.46 ± 2.18, p = 0.005). Pain intensity values also decreased significantly over time in both the PBMT (t0–t2 = 4.15 ± 2.30, p = 0.002) and OST (t0–t2 = 4.62 ± 1.39, p = 0.001) groups. Conclusions The tested types of PBMT and OST are effective for pain relief and mandibular function improvement in MPS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04257903