The prevention of induced oral mucositis with low-level laser therapy in bone marrow transplantation patients: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Photomedicine and laser surgery Vol. 29; no. 1; p. 27
• Main Authors: Silva, Geisa Badauy Lauria, Mendonça, Elismauro Francisco, Bariani, Cesar, Antunes, Heliton Spindola, Silva, Maria Alves Garcia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2011
• Subjects: Adult; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Female; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Stomatitis - prevention & control
• ISSN: 1557-8550
• DOI: 10.1089/pho.2009.2699

Patients who have received high doses of chemotherapy, either alone or in combination with total body irradiation often cite oral mucositis (OM) as the most debilitating side effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the prevention of conditioning-induced OM in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
We randomized 42 patients who underwent autologous or allogeneic HSCT. A low-level InGaAlP diode laser was used, emitting light at 660 nm, 40 mW, and 4 J/cm(2). An evaluation of OM was carried out using the World Health Organization scale.
In the LLLT group, 57.1% of patients had an OM grade 0, 9.6% had grade 1, and 33.3% had grade 2, whereas in the control group, only 4.8% of patients were free of OM (grade 0). Our results indicate that the preventive use of LLLT in patients who have undergone HSCT is a powerful instrument in reducing OM incidence.