Gouvea de Lima, A., Villar, R.C., de Castro, G., Jr., Antequera, R., Gil, E., Rosalmeida, M.C., … Snitcovsky, I.M.L. (2012). Oral mucositis prevention by low-level laser therapy in head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A phase III randomized study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 82, 270–275.
To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to decrease severe oral mucositis and reduce radiation therapy (RT) interruptions
Patients received either gallium aluminum arsenide LLLT 2.5 J/cm2 or placebo laser before each radiation fraction.
This was a single-site, outpatient study conducted in Brazil.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, double-blind, phase III study.
LLLT benefit was limited to fewer interruptions in RT.
LLLT dosage, schedule, specific laser type, and availability all need to be addressed.