Amadori, F., Bardellini, E., Conti, G., Pedrini, N., Schumacher, R.F., & Majorana, A. (2016). Low-level laser therapy for treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in childhood: A randomized double-blind controlled study. Lasers in Medical Science, 31, 1231–1236.
To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to reduce the severity of chemotherapy-related oral mucositis in children
Patients were randomized to receive LLLT or sham control interventions. Therapy began on day 1 of diagnosis of oral mucositis and was continued daily for the next three days. Study assessments were done immediately before beginning laser therapy, on day 4 after completion of laser therapy, and on day 7. Individuals who applied the laser treatment were not involved in mucositis data collection.
Progressive decline in mucositis severity occurred in both groups, and no significant difference in grading existed between groups. Pain scores were lower in those treated with laser therapy (p < 0.05), and those getting LLLT required less analgesia.
The findings suggested that LLLT may help the management of pain from oral mucositis among children receiving chemotherapy.
The findings did not show the efficacy of LLLT among children to reduce the severity of oral mucositis. Further well-designed research is needed to determine if a role exists for LLLT in children receiving chemotherapy.