Gautam, A.P., Fernandes, D.J., Vidyasagar, M.S., Maiya, A.G., & Vadhiraja, B.M. (2012). Low level laser therapy for concurrent chemoradiotherapy induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A triple blinded randomized controlled trial. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 104, 349–354.
To examine the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT)
Patients were randomly assigned to receive LLLT or sham treatment. Both groups received standard oral care and oral hygiene protocol, including frequent mouth washes with sodium bicarbonate. Patients in the LLLT group were treated with helium neon laser in 15–20 minute sessions, five sessions per week, at six anatomical sites in the oral cavity. Treatment was done daily prior to RT for 45 days. Patients, outcomes assessors, and statisticians were blinded to patient group assignment. Oral mucositis was assessed and graded daily.
This was a single-site, outpatient study conducted in India.
Patients were undergoing the active antitumor treatment phase of care.
The study design was a randomized triple-blind sham-controlled randomized clinical trial.
Prophylactic LLLT in patients with head and neck cancer receiving concomitant radiation and chemotherapy was effective in reducing the incidence of severe oral mucositis.
Without a longer-term follow up, long-term effects of LLT are not known.
Prophylactic use of LLLT was able to prevent and treat severe oral mucositis in this group of patients. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of LLLT in patients with head and neck cancer receiving treatment, particularly in patients receiving chemotherapy with RT. Nurses can advocate for the use of LLLT in this patient population.