Fotobiomodulação superpulsada de duplo comprimento de onda em crianças e adolescentes com dor orofacial: desfechos clínicos, térmicos e de transmissão óptica em estudo piloto

Abstract

Orofacial pain in children and adolescents can compromise oral functions and quality of life. Photobiomodulation has been proposed as a non-invasive approach for pain management; however, clinical studies in pediatric populations remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary results of a photobiomodulation protocol using a dual-wavelength superpulsed laser (810 nm + 980 nm) in pediatric patients with orofacial pain. Seven participants aged 6 to 17 years were included and underwent a standardized photobiomodulation protocol (0.3 W, 4 J per point, 10.52 J/cm², 7 mm adapter, and 13 seconds per point). Orofacial pain, regional temperatures, skin phototype, and the power and irradiance transmitted through the masseter muscle were evaluated, along with their associations with anthropometric variables and effect sizes. Progressive reductions in pain outcomes were observed, although differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Effect sizes ranged from 0.87 to 1.53. The mean optical power detected after transmission through the masseter was 0.41 ± 0.10 mW, corresponding to a mean irradiance of 0.63 ± 0.16 mW/cm². No significant correlations were found between irradiance and age, body mass index, or cheek thickness, nor between phototype and the temperatures evaluated (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the protocol yielded favorable preliminary results, showing progressive pain reduction and large effect sizes; furthermore, it enabled thermal and optical measurements in pediatric patients with orofacial pain, thereby contributing to the design of future research in this field.