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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Araújo Jorge Hospital, Goiás Fight Cancer Association, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. geisabadauy@hotmail.com
Geisa Badauy Lauria
GB
Silva
Elismauro Francisco
EF
Mendonça
Cesar
C
Bariani
Heliton Spindola
HS
Antunes
Maria Alves Garcia
MA
Silva
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000517:prevention & control*