Light Therapy for Jaw Pain
Official title: Photobiomodulation for the management of Temporomandibular disorder pain
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11144545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is exploring if a special type of light therapy, called photobiomodulation, can help adults who experience chronic pain from temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $690,126 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE030433-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 or older with TMD pain intensity of 30 or more on a 0-100 scale, who are not currently starting new pain medications or certain other treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have recently started new pain medications, received injections for pain, started occlusal appliance therapy, had recent facial trauma or surgery, or are undergoing active orthodontic treatment may not be eligible.
What this research studies
We are conducting a clinical trial to see if light therapy can reduce jaw pain and inflammation for people with TMD. Participants will receive a series of light therapy treatments, or a sham treatment, over several visits. We will carefully track changes in pain levels and other factors to understand how this therapy might work. Our goal is to find new, non-medication options for managing this common and often disabling condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this light therapy could offer a new, non-drug option to help reduce chronic jaw pain and inflammation for people with TMD.
How similar studies have gone: Given the limited effective treatments for TMD, this approach is being rigorously tested as a potential new alternative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ribeiro-Dasilva, Margarete C — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Ribeiro-Dasilva, Margarete C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
A clinician-scientist at the University of Florida is testing a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder pain feel better and jaw function improve.
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Targeted light therapy for jaw pain (TMD)
This project uses targeted light therapy to try to reduce jaw pain in adults with temporomandibular disorder.
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Female-specific trigeminal dynorphin role in TMD and migraine overlap
This grant studies why women with jaw pain (TMD) often have migraines and looks for female-focused targets to treat both conditions.
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Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
A study tests a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder reduce jaw pain without drugs.
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Understanding jaw pain and migraine in women
This project looks for new ways to treat jaw pain (TMD) and migraine headaches, especially in women.
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Investigating the role of a specific protein in pain related to jaw disorders and migraines in women
This study is looking at how jaw pain from temporomandibular disorders (TMD) might be linked to migraine headaches in women, and it hopes to find new ways to help relieve that pain by exploring a specific protein involved in both conditions.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.