Evaluation of Low-level Laser at Auriculotherapy Points to Reduce Postoperative Pain in Inferior Third Molar Surgery

January 12, 2016 updated by: Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana, University of Nove de Julho

Effectiveness of Low Level Laser at the Auriculotherapy Points, in Reducing Postoperative Pain in Third Molar Surgery

The association between low level laser and auricular acupuncture can be an alternative when conventional drugs are contraindicated or to reduce the quantity of these postoperative medications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of low level laser at auriculotherapy points in reducing postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery. Eighty third molars surgeries will be performed in 40 healthy patients by a split-mouth design. Immediately after surgery, each side of the patient's mouth will be randomly treated with different regimens in a double-blind design: low level laser in auricular acupuncture points or simulation of its use. This treatment will be performed at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. The primary variable is the post-operative pain. The secondary variables are trismus, edema and local temperature. They will be assessed at baseline, 24 hours, 48 hours and seven days after surgery.The blood samples for analysis of systemic inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin 1, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8) will be assessed at baseline and 24 hours after surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Unknown

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Third molar surgery is the most common surgical procedure in dentistry. A comfortable, fast postoperative return to daily activities has increased the need to control inflammation and its signs and symptoms, such as pain and edema. Anti-inflammatories and analgesics have been used for this purpose, but they are not exempt from adverse effects, such as allergies and chronic gastritis, not to mention the medicine costs. The association between low level laser and auricular acupuncture can be an alternative when conventional drugs are contraindicated or to reduce the quantity of these postoperative medications. Among the advantages, we can mention the low risk of side effects, low cost and simplicity of application. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of low level laser at auriculotherapy points in reducing postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery. Eighty bilateral, symmetrical lower third molars surgeries will be performed in 40 healthy patients. Each patient will be his or her own control, through a split-mouth technique. Immediately after surgery, each side of the patient's mouth will be randomly treated with different regimens in a double-blind design: low level laser in auricular acupuncture points or simulation of its use (contralateral side). This regimen will be repeated at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. All patients will receive the same medication (paracetamol) and will be oriented to take it only if they have pain. Neither the surgeon nor the patients know the assigned treatment. The primary variable is the post-operative pain assessed by visual analog scale, and the secondary variables are trismus, edema, local temperature. Dysphagia and presence of infection (systemic temperature, lymphadenopathy) will also be evaluated. These variables will be assessed at baseline, 24 hours, 48 hours and seven days after surgery. All adverse effects will be recorded. The blood samples for analysis of systemic inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin 1, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8) will be assessed at baseline and 24 hours after surgery.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
80

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Brazil
      • São Paulo, Brazil, 01504-001
        • Recruiting
        • Nove de Julho university (UNINOVE)
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 28 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • healthy patients (negative medical history)
  • teeth in position II B according classification of Pell and Gregory
  • third molar with extraction indication (recurrent infections, poor position, orthodontic indication) with professional statement in writing.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • allergic to any drug used in the research (e.g.paracetamol)
  • pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • smokers
  • patients submitted to radiotherapy in the head and neck, systemic or local infection (e.g., pericoronitis or periodontal abscess)
  • patients with injuries or radiolucent images associated with the third molar
  • patients who have used anti-inflammatory drugs in the last three months
  • drug users
  • patients who present any complications during surgery (e.g., bleeding, surgical difficulty, surgery longer than 90 minutes).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: G1- experimental active comparator group
G1 - (Experimental) 40 third molars surgeries will be performed in a conventional manner. At the end of surgery low level laser in auricular acupuncture points will be applied for prevention of inflammation and pain in a split-mouth design.
Device: low level laser in auricular acupuncture points
40 third molars surgeries will be performed in a conventional manner. At the end of surgery, low level laser will be applied at auricular points for prevention of inflammation and pain in the immediate post-operative period (baseline).The operator will mark the points that will be irradiated on the outer atrium of the patient with red gel pen to avoid interference with red laser (λ = 660 nm). The low level laser points will be irradiated in the same operated side.
Placebo Comparator: G2- control group
G2 - (Control) 40 third molars surgeries will be performed in the conventional manner, identically to the G1. At the end of surgery low level laser device off in auricular acupuncture points will be applied. The patient will receive low level laser with a protection of lead in the laser nozzle, in order to block the passage of light, in the same auricular points used in G1, with split-mouth design.
Device: low level laser device off in auricular acupuncture points
40 surgeries will be performed in the conventional manner, identically to the G1. The patient will receive low level laser with a protection of lead in the laser nozzle, in order to block the passage of light, in the same auricular points used in G1.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in of post-operative pain by applying a visual analog scale
Time Frame: baseline
The pain will be assessed by applying a visual analog scale, consisting of a 100-mm line numbered in centimeters, with two closed ends. One end is labeled "0" and the other "100", meaning no pain and terrible pain, respectively. Each patient will be instructed to mark a vertical line with the point that best matches the intensity of pain during the evaluation. Instructions on marking will always be given to the patient by the same operator.
baseline
Change in of post-operative pain by applying a visual analog scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
The pain will be assessed by applying a visual analog scale, consisting of a 100-mm line numbered in centimeters, with two closed ends. One end is labeled "0" and the other "100", meaning no pain and terrible pain, respectively. Each patient will be instructed to mark a vertical line with the point that best matches the intensity of pain during the evaluation. Instructions on marking will always be given to the patient by the same operator.
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Change in of post-operative pain by applying a visual analog scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
The pain will be assessed by applying a visual analog scale, consisting of a 100-mm line numbered in centimeters, with two closed ends. One end is labeled "0" and the other "100", meaning no pain and terrible pain, respectively. Each patient will be instructed to mark a vertical line with the point that best matches the intensity of pain during the evaluation. Instructions on marking will always be given to the patient by the same operator.
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Change in of post-operative pain by applying a visual analog scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
The pain will be assessed by applying a visual analog scale, consisting of a 100-mm line numbered in centimeters, with two closed ends. One end is labeled "0" and the other "100", meaning no pain and terrible pain, respectively. Each patient will be instructed to mark a vertical line with the point that best matches the intensity of pain during the evaluation. Instructions on marking will always be given to the patient by the same operator.
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in edema
Time Frame: baseline
The criteria for the determination of edema will follow pre-established measurements: (I) Corner of the eye to angle of the jaw (II) Tragus to the labial commissure and (III) Tragus to pogonion.
baseline
Changes in mouth opening assessed by the inter-incisor measurement
Time Frame: baseline
For evaluation of the presence of trismus the inter-incisor measurement (distance between the incisal edge of the maxillary central incisor and lower) will be used with a digital caliper. During clinical examination (one week before the surgery), the patient will be asked to perform his/her maximum mouth opening, which will be measured in millimeters.
baseline
Changes in local temperature
Time Frame: baseline
The local temperature will be measured in the mandibular angle region 2 cm above the lower jaw board (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
baseline
Changes in edema
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
The criteria for the determination of edema will follow pre-established measurements: (I) Corner of the eye to angle of the jaw (II) Tragus to the labial commissure and (III) Tragus to pogonion.
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in mouth opening assessed by the inter-incisor measurement
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
For evaluation of the presence of trismus the inter-incisor measurement (distance between the incisal edge of the maxillary central incisor and lower) will be used with a digital caliper. During clinical examination (one week before the surgery), the patient will be asked to perform his/her maximum mouth opening, which will be measured in millimeters.
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in local temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
The local temperature will be measured in the mandibular angle region 2 cm above the lower jaw board (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in edema
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
The criteria for the determination of edema will follow pre-established measurements: (I) Corner of the eye to angle of the jaw (II) Tragus to the labial commissure and (III) Tragus to pogonion.
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Changes in mouth opening assessed by the inter-incisor measurement
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
For evaluation of the presence of trismus the inter-incisor measurement (distance between the incisal edge of the maxillary central incisor and lower) will be used with a digital caliper. During clinical examination (one week before the surgery), the patient will be asked to perform his/her maximum mouth opening, which will be measured in millimeters.
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Changes in local temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
The local temperature will be measured in the mandibular angle region 2 cm above the lower jaw board (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Changes in edema
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
The criteria for the determination of edema will follow pre-established measurements: (I) Corner of the eye to angle of the jaw (II) Tragus to the labial commissure and (III) Tragus to pogonion.
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
Changes in mouth opening assessed by the inter-incisor measurement
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
For evaluation of the presence of trismus the inter-incisor measurement (distance between the incisal edge of the maxillary central incisor and lower) will be used with a digital caliper. During clinical examination (one week before the surgery), the patient will be asked to perform his/her maximum mouth opening, which will be measured in millimeters.
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
Changes in local temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
The local temperature will be measured in the mandibular angle region 2 cm above the lower jaw board (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes in systemic temperature
Time Frame: baseline
Fever (systemic) is an indicator of infection. Because in case of infection pain is usually worse, it may become a bias. The temperature will be measured using a digital thermometer (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
baseline
Changes in dysphagia through a numerical scale
Time Frame: baseline
The assessment of dysphagia will be conducted through a numerical scale: 0 - indicates total absence of dysphagia; 1 - dysphagia for solid food; 2 - dysphagia for any food, liquid or solid.
baseline
Changes in systemic temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Fever (systemic) is an indicator of infection. Because in case of infection pain is usually worse, it may become a bias. The temperature will be measured using a digital thermometer (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in dysphagia through a numerical scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
The assessment of dysphagia will be conducted through a numerical scale: 0 - indicates total absence of dysphagia; 1 - dysphagia for solid food; 2 - dysphagia for any food, liquid or solid.
Postoperative period: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in systemic temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Fever (systemic) is an indicator of infection. Because in case of infection pain is usually worse, it may become a bias. The temperature will be measured using a digital thermometer (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Changes in dysphagia through a numerical scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
The assessment of dysphagia will be conducted through a numerical scale: 0 - indicates total absence of dysphagia; 1 - dysphagia for solid food; 2 - dysphagia for any food, liquid or solid.
Postoperative period: 48 hours after surgery
Changes in systemic temperature
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
Fever (systemic) is an indicator of infection. Because in case of infection pain is usually worse, it may become a bias. The temperature will be measured using a digital thermometer (Safety 1st® model "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA).
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
Changes in dysphagia through a numerical scale
Time Frame: Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery
The assessment of dysphagia will be conducted through a numerical scale: 0 - indicates total absence of dysphagia; 1 - dysphagia for solid food; 2 - dysphagia for any food, liquid or solid.
Postoperative period: 7 days after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Nove de Julho

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Anna Carolina RT Horliana, phD, Nove de Julho University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 1, 2016

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
January 11, 2016

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 12, 2016

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 15, 2016

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
January 15, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 12, 2016

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
January 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 1.100.869

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings