Bjordal, J.M., Bensadoun, R.J., Tuner, J., Frigo, L., Gjerde, K., & Lopes-Martins, R.A. (2011). A systematic review with meta-analysis of the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 19, 1069–1077.
Review the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis induced by cancer therapy. Meta-analysis was done, and all results are provided.
Databases searched were Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PedRo, and Cochrane Controlled Trial Register. Hand searching in physiotherapy and medical journals from several countries also were used.
Search keywords were low level laser therapy, low intensity laser therapy, low energy laser therapy, phototherapy, oral mucositis, cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and specific laser types.
Studies were included if they
A total of 149 papers were initially retrieved. Literature was evaluated using the Jadad checklist and inclusion of study funding sources.
A final sample of 11 trials published from 1997–2009 included 415 patients. Samples ranged from 21–70 subjects and included those receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, combined therapy, and transplant cases. One study was done in children.
Moderate to strong evidence was found for effectiveness of LLLT in the prevention of OM, reduced duration and severity of OM, and reduced pain with doses of 1–6 joules per point. Trials aimed at prevention started LLLT seven days before cancer treatment regimens, and effective dosing seen ranged from 1–6 joules. This meta-analysis supported the effectiveness of LLLT in the dosage ranges reported here for the prevention and management of oral mucositis.
The quality of studies was determined to be high; however, substantial variation existed in the actual treatment procedures, number of treatments, timing of treatments, and heterogeneity in the overall findings.