Gouvea de Lima, A., Antequera, R., Peres, M.P., Snitcosky, I.M., Federico, M.H., & Villar, R.C. (2010). Efficacy of low-level laser therapy and aluminum hydroxide in patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Brazilian Dental Journal, 21, 186–192.
To evaluate the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) and aluminum hydroxide for the prevention of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer, and to evaluate the impact of LLLT on pain scores.
Group 1 was given LLLT at 830 nm daily since first day of radiotherapy (RT) to end of therapy prior to RT (RT days only). It was applied to 12 areas of the oral cavity. Group 2 received aluminum hydroxide (AH) suspension (310 mg/5 mL) starting on first day of RT and continued throughout, including weekends. Patients used 10 mL of AH 4 times a day and swallowed and had to avoid eating during the first hour after treatment.
This was a single-site, outpatient study conducted in Brazil.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
The study was prospective, comparative, and nonrandomized.
Lower oral mucositis (OM) scores were observed in the LLLT group (p = 0.061). More grade III OM was seen in the AH group, and severe OM was delayed in the LLLT group. LLLT pain scores were lower but not statistically significant overall. Quality-of-life (QOL) scores were all higher (i.e., more symptoms) in the AH group.
LLLT was found to be more effective than AH in delaying severe OM; however, more trials are needed.
Although LLLT was found to be more effective than AH in delaying severe OM, questions exist regrding the best protocols and dosing, as well as how this evidence correlates to other disease types. Additionally, availability of equipment may be an issue.