Oton-Leite, A.F., Silva, G.B., Morais, M.O., Silva, T.A., Leles, C.R., Valadares, M.C., . . . Mendonca, E.F. (2015). Effect of low-level laser therapy on chemoradiotherapy-induced oral mucositis and salivary inflammatory mediators in head and neck cancer patients. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 47, 296–305.
To evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the severity of oral mucositis (OM) and the release of salivary molecules (TNF~a, IL-1b, IL6, IL10, TGF-b, EGF< FGF< VEGF< MMP2/TIMP2, and MMP9/TIMP2) during chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancer
Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
LLLT reduced OM in the experimental group when compared to the control group. This study added to the growing body of literature demonstrating that LLLT is an effective intervention for OM in patients receiving treatment for cancer.
Reducing OM can have a distinct impact on patients' quality of life, pain control, and ability to complete chemoradiation in a timely manner. Nurses have daily interactions with patients to assist them through the completion of therapy. This study contributed to the growing body of literature demonstrating that LLLT is an effective intervention for OM.