Using light therapy to relieve pain from jaw disorders
Official title: Photobiomodulation for the management of Temporomandibular disorder pain
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10889280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a gentle light therapy called Photobiomodulation can help relieve pain for people with jaw pain from Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), and we're inviting community members to see if they qualify to participate!
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $671,820 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3DE030433-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 18 and older who experience significant pain from Temporomandibular Disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are currently undergoing certain pain management therapies or have specific medical histories may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of Photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive light therapy, to manage pain associated with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). The study will involve a randomized clinical trial where participants will receive either the active PBM treatment or a sham treatment, allowing researchers to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Participants will be recruited from the community and will undergo a series of evaluations to determine their eligibility based on specific pain criteria. The goal is to understand how PBM affects inflammation and pain sensitivity in individuals suffering from TMD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective non-pharmacological treatment option for patients suffering from TMD pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with Photobiomodulation in treating various pain conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in TMD.
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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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.
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.