Photobiomodulation for temporomandibular disorders: A scoping review of laser-parameter reporting in controlled trials

<p>To map the controlled-trial evidence on photobiomodulation (PBM) for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), chart the laser dosimetric parameters, quantify reporting completeness, and identify standardization priorities.</p> <p>Scoping review per JBI methodology, reported per PRISMA-ScR, and registered on the Open Science Framework (project hdz53). PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL and CDSR), Lens.org, LILACS, and SciELO were searched from inception to July 21 2026.

Eligible reports were randomized or non-randomized controlled trials in humans with TMD receiving PBM over the temporomandibular joint or masticatory muscles; reviews, uncontrolled designs, high-intensity or ablative laser, photodynamic therapy, and acupoint-only irradiation were excluded. Records were de-duplicated and screened independently by two reviewers in two stages, with third-reviewer arbitration. Ten dosimetric parameters were charted verbatim, omissions being the primary datum.</p> <p>Of 1,733 records, 1,060 were screened after de-duplication and 462 reports were sought; 215 were not retrieved and 247 were assessed at full text.