The use of photobiomodulation for the muscles of head and neck: an integrative review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To carry out an integrative review of the literature on the use of photobiomodulation (PBM) for the head and neck muscles.

Research strategy

The research took place between June/2019 and March/2021, in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO. The MeSH used were Low-Level Light Therapy, Phototherapy, Masseter Muscle, Masticatory Muscles, Tongue, Palate, Mouth, Neck Muscles, and Facial Muscles in English and Portuguese. No limitation was imposed on the year and language of publication.

Selection criteria

studies that answered the guiding question: what is the use of photobiomodulation to the head and neck muscles?.

Results

2857 articles were found, of which 102 were selected for full reading, 52 of those were excluded, giving a total of 50 articles included. The included publications date from 2003 to 2020. Brazil was the country that most published on the topic. With regard to the objectives, 82% of the studies aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of PBM, of these, 50% were related to articular or muscular temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The heterogeneity of the studies makes it impossible to define the dose protocols.

Conclusion

PBM has been applied to the head and neck muscles mainly for the treatment of pain caused by TMD. There is no treatment protocol to define the doses to be used, due the heterogeneity of the methodologies applied and results found.

Keywords:
Low-level laser therapy; Masseter muscle; Facial muscles; Muscles of the neck; Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome