Effect of Non-invasive Photobiomodulation Therapies in Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia

Effect of Non-invasive Photobiomodulation Therapies in Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different photobiomodulation (PBM) therapies as an alternative to medical treatment to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different photobiomodulation (PBM) therapies as an alternative to medical treatment to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). A total of 45 patients with mean age of 46.09 years (26 female, 19 male) were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received PBM therapy with a new generation diode laser (NGD laser). In the second group, low-level Nd:YAG laser was applied along the affected nerve line and the placebo group received the same protocol with Nd:YAG laser without the device switched on. The scores were recorded before and after the treatment using the Brief Pain Inventory-facial (BPI-facial) scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia as defined by the International Headache Society (2).
• Patients diagnosed with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia and receiving medical treatment (carbamazepine, etc.)
• Patients with unilateral, severe, sudden onset of facial pain along the branches of the trigeminal nerve.
• Patients who have not previously received any interventional treatment for TN.
• Patients recently diagnosed and started on a first dose of carbamazepine and its derivatives

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Patients diagnosed with type 2 (atypical, symptomatic) trigeminal neuralgia as defined by the International Headache Society (2).

  • Patients with etiologies such as tumour, multiple sclerosis or neurovascular compression on radiography.
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, etc.
  • Patients who have been previously diagnosed and treated with any type of TN therapy.