Pilot study on the efficacy of combined intraoral and extraoral low-level laser therapy for prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND DATA:

Studies suggest that intraoral low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can ameliorate oral mucositis in adult patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a combined protocol of intraoral and extraoral LLLT in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS:

Twelve children undergoing HSCT were treated four times a week with a combined protocol of intraoral and extraoral LLLT, for a mean duration of 22 days. Clinical and functional mucositis scores were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE). These scores were compared with a matched retrospective control group of 12 children who did not receive LLLT during HSCT.

RESULTS:

Clinical mucositis scores were significantly lower in the LLLT group than in the control group (p = 0.004). Incidence of ulcerative oral mucositis was also significantly lower in the LLLT group (p = 0.027). Functional limitation associated with diet/swallowing was less severe in the LLLT group; however, this was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study indicates that a combined protocol of intraoral and extraoral application of LLLT can reduce the severity of oral mucositis in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. Randomized double-blind clinical trials with a larger number of subjects are needed to further test such combined protocols.

• Authors: Marcos Soto, Rajesh V Lalla, Roseane Vasconcelos Gouveia, Victor Gattardello Zecchin, Adriana Seber, Nilza Nelly Fontana Lopes
• Journal: Photomedicine and laser surgery (Photomed Laser Surg) Vol. 33 Issue 11 Pg. 540-6 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1557-8550 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26501372 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
• Humans
• Low-Level Light Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Mucositis (prevention & control)
• Pilot Projects