Targeted light therapy for jaw pain (TMD)
Photobiomodulation for the management of Temporomandibular disorder pain
This project uses targeted light therapy to try to reduce jaw pain in adults with temporomandibular disorder.
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 ID | NIH-11382371 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a double-blind, randomized comparison where neither you nor the treating staff know if you receive real or sham photobiomodulation (PBM) light therapy. The study plans to enroll 130 adults with TMD pain, using phone screening, a pre-randomization visit, eight treatment visits, and one post-treatment visit. Researchers will track your pain levels, pain sensitivity, and markers of inflammation before and after the treatment course. Participants are recruited via community advertisements and must meet eligibility rules about recent medications, injections, dental treatments, and recent psychiatric hospitalization.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults 18 and older with temporomandibular disorder who report moderate or greater pain (≥30 on a 0–100 scale) and who meet the study's medication and treatment timing rules are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who recently had facial trauma or surgery, are in active orthodontic treatment, recently received injection therapy for pain, started new daily prescription pain medication within 30 days, or had psychiatric hospitalization in the past year are excluded and would not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non-drug way to reduce chronic jaw pain from TMD.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller clinical trials of photobiomodulation for TMD have shown mixed but sometimes positive results, and this larger double-blind, sham-controlled trial aims to provide clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ribeiro-Dasilva, Margarete C — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Ribeiro-Dasilva, Margarete C
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 below.