Effects of myotherapy combined with photobiomodulation on the lips: a randomized clinical trial.
Mariana Rodrigues Batista, Andréa Rodrigues Motta, Renata Maria Moreira Moraes Furlan
PMID 40900493WHAT IT FOUND
Combining home lip exercises with laser therapy did not improve lip strength in healthy adults.
Adherence to the exercises was very low, averaging 57.9% of the prescribed amount, so the study cannot tell us if the treatments work when performed as directed.
Key findings
01There was no statistically significant difference in maximum or mean lip pressure after the intervention in any group.
02One group showed a statistically significant increase in lip resistance, but this finding is limited by the very small sample size.
03Adherence to the home exercise program was poor, with participants performing an average of 57.9% of the prescribed exercises.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small, with only twelve participants completing the study. Adherence to the home exercise program was low, averaging only 57.9% of the prescribed amount, which makes it difficult to determine if the treatments themselves were ineffective. The participants were healthy, young adults with no existing lip muscle dysfunction, so the findings may not apply to patients with clinical impairments. This is preliminary data from a study that is still ongoing.
Declared interests
The paper does not report any conflicts of interest or funding sources.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that laser therapy is ineffective for lip function. The study had very low participant adherence to the exercise component, meaning the 'dose' of therapy received was likely insufficient to produce results. This trial tests compliance, not just the technology.