Laser Therapy and Temporomandibular Disorders

Visual analogue scale of pain (VAS),using a 0-10-point scale 0 score means no pain" and score 10 means "worst pain

The pressure pain threshold measurements for the trapezius, infraspinatus, and extensor carpi radialis muscles were performed at the center of the upper trapezius, at a position 2-3 fingers below the center of the spine of scapula, and at a position 3-4 fingers below the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, respectively. The pressure pain threshold of the extensor indicis proprius was measured by pressing toward the medial side of the radius from a position 3 fingers above the radial styloid process. The investigator placed the digital pressure algometer on a site to be inspected and pressed against the tester in a vertical direction while increasing the force at a constant rate of 1 kg/cm2. The investigator instructed the subjects to express pain either by saying "ouch" or raising their hands when only slight pain was felt. After all 8 muscles were investigated, the subjects were allowed to rest for 5 min. This procedure was repeated a total of 3 times.

The OHIP-14 has 14 questions related to the evaluation of OHRQoL. The responses were recorded in a 5-point Likert scale ranging from never to very often (score is 0 to 4). Then, we calculated the total scores of all domains, and a higher score indicated poor OHRQoL. The highest possible total score of all the OHIP-14 domains is 56