Low-Level Laser Auriculotherapy in the Treatment of Myogenic Temporomandibular Disorders and Anxiety

Launched by QUIROPRAXIA Y EQUILIBRIO · Aug 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called low-level laser auriculotherapy (LLLT-AT) to see if it can help people with a type of jaw pain called myogenic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and anxiety. This treatment uses a gentle laser on specific points in the ear, which may help reduce both muscle pain in the jaw and feelings of anxiety. The study will compare the effects of this laser treatment combined with a standard jaw muscle therapy to a fake (placebo) laser treatment combined with the same therapy, to understand if the laser itself adds any extra benefit.

Adults aged 18 and older who have muscle-related jaw pain and a certain level of anxiety may be able to join. Participants will come to the clinic twice a week for three weeks to receive their treatments. Researchers will check pain levels, anxiety, how wide the mouth can open, and jaw function before treatment, right after, and again four weeks later. It’s important to know that people with certain health issues, like recent neck injuries, skin problems on the ear, or certain medications, won’t be able to join. The goal is to find out if this safe, non-invasive laser treatment can help improve both jaw pain and anxiety symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years.
• • Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral myogenic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) based on DC/TMD criteria.
• • Presence of myalgia or myofascial pain in the masticatory muscles, either spontaneous or induced by clinical palpation.
• • At least one episode of local, referred, or radiating masticatory pain in the past 30 days, lasting at least one hour.
• • Score ≥ 5 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), indicating generalized anxiety.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Recent musculoskeletal injury in the cervical region.
• • Skin lesions or dermatological conditions on the auricle.
• • Regular use of medications such as corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, quinolones, sulfonamides).
• • Tattoos on or near the auricular area.
• • History of cancer or tumors within the past five years.
• • Fitzpatrick skin phototype V or VI.
• • Autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus erythematosus, hepatic porphyria, pellagra).
• • Epilepsy.
• • Discontinuation Criteria
• • - The participant's withdrawal or non-attendance results in the failure to complete the evaluation or treatment protocol.