Cunha, C. B., Eduardo, F. P., Zezell, D. M., Bezinelli, L. M., Shitara, P. P., & Correa, L. (2012). Effect of irradiation with red and infrared laser in the treatment of oral mucositis: A pilot study with patients undergoing chemotherapy with 5-FU. Lasers in Medical Science 27(6), 1233-40.
To verify the efficacy of 660 nm laser associated with 780 nm laser in reducing the severity of oral mucositis (OM)
Investigators conducted two interviews before beginning treatment for OM and one interview after the therapies. In the first interview, patients were asked about demographics, medical and laboratory data, and types of food ingested. Oral health status was evaluated, and the oral cavity was examined. Oral hygiene was reviewed.
Following the first interview, participants were divided into one of three groups.
This study was conducted in Brazil. The site and setting type were not specified.
This was a pilot study, prospective trial.
Symptoms of OM were classified according to a system validated by Monopoli et al. and applied by Vera-Llonch et al. The name of the tool was not given. Assessment was performed by a dental surgeon. This system was based on a grading system with the following grades.
A faces visual scale was used to assess satisfaction with the results of treatment with a happy face meaning \"satisfied\" (i.e., I feel no pain, I am able to eat better, I can speak better, I am satisfied, I like the treatment) and a sad face meaning “dissatisfied\" (i.e., I feel pain, I cannot eat, I cannot speak, I am not satisfied, I don’t like the treatment).
Consistency of food eaten was measured; however, no tool was specified.
The red laser group (Group 2) and the red laser plus infrared laser group (Group 3) had statistically significant differences in comparison to the CG group (Group 1) (p = 0.0190).
Statistically significant changes were found in the consistency of the foods ingested, favoring Group 3 (p < 0.001).
Satisfaction with oral condition was significantly different from the initial to the final evaluation with regard to Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in Group 3 from the initial to the final evaluation (p = 0.491).
A statistically significant difference was found between the CG and the red laser groups in OM scores but not necessarily in the severity of the OM lesions. The addition of laser light emission in the red region with infrared emission was found to be advantageous for the treatment of OM. The study provided support for the use of good oral hygiene alone in reducing the grade of OM.
Using good oral hygiene alone is still the cornerstone of OM prevention and treatment. The addition of laser therapy may be helpful. Laser therapy may not be available in all settings. This study did not substantially add to evidence in this area. This study was too small to make definitive decisions regarding laser therapy, but it provides promising results.