Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
Official title: Photobiomodulation for the management of Temporomandibular disorder pain
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11361586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder reduce jaw pain without drugs.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $689,704 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE030433-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 18 years and older with persistent TMD-related jaw pain of sufficient intensity.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience pain relief or may have contraindications to light therapy.
What this research studies
This project will recruit adults with TMD and randomize them to real or sham photobiomodulation to see if the light therapy reduces pain and inflammation. Participants will have multiple visits over several weeks, with computer-based screening and careful follow-up after treatment. The study uses a double-blind design so neither participants nor investigators know which treatment is given, ensuring reliable results. If PBM helps, it could offer a non-drug option for people dealing with chronic jaw pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants with TMD could experience less pain and improved jaw function without relying on medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous PBM trials in pain have shown mixed results, making this rigorous trial important for clarity.
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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Light Therapy for Jaw Pain
This project is exploring if a special type of light therapy, called photobiomodulation, can help adults who experience chronic pain from temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
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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.