Usefulness of low-level laser for control of painful stomatitis in patients with hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the control of painful stomatitis in patients with hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).

BACKGROUND DATA:

LLLT has been successfully applied to various painful oral mucosal diseases, although there have been few reports on LLLT for HFMD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Through a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, the painful period of HFMD stomatitis was compared between the LLLT group (n=11) and the placebo LLLT one (n=9), which had similar clinical backgrounds. The LLLT parameters supplied were as follows: wavelength of 830 nm, power of 30 mW, frequency of 30 Hz, and energy output of 1.1 J/cm2. Acceptability and safety of the treatment were also evaluated.

RESULTS:

The painful period was shorter in the LLLT group (4.0 +/- 1.3 days) than in the placebo LLLT one (6.7 +/- 1.6 days) with a statistically significant difference (p<0.005). The treatment was judged acceptable for 90.0% (18 of 20) of patients. No adverse events were observed in any cases.

CONCLUSION:

LLLT is a useful method to control HFMD stomatitis by shortening the painful period, with its high acceptability and lack of adverse events.

• Authors: Makoto Toida, Fumio Watanabe, Kazumi Goto, Toshiyuki Shibata
• Journal: Journal of clinical laser medicine & surgery (J Clin Laser Med Surg) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 363-7 (Dec 2003) ISSN: 1044-5471 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14709221 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (complications)
• Humans
• Low-Level Light Therapy
• Male
• Stomatitis (etiology, radiotherapy)
• Treatment Outcome