Efficacy of LASER Photobiomodulation in the Management of Cancer Treatment Induced Oral Mucositis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Oral mucositis is one of the most severe side effects of cancer treatment. Photobiomodu-lation therapy is a novel supportive therapy to prevent and manage cancer treatment induced oral mucositis. This review aimed at the assessment of efficacy of Laser photobiomodulation therapy in preventing and managing cancer treatment induced oral mucositis. Methods: An extensive electronic search for in vivo randomized controlled trials via Medline (via PubMed) and The Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register databases from 2007 -2019 was done using MESH terms “stomatitis”, “oral mucositis”, “low-level light therapy”, “light therapy” and “clinical trial”. Articles were retrieved and exported to Mendeley Desktop 1.13.3 software. Results: In total, 9 articles were selected for review out of 164 articles retrieved from the search and remaining were excluded based on the eligibility criteria. All studies except one demonstrated better pain relief and healing with laser photobiomodulation therapy compared to control group (sham therapy) Conclusion: Photobiomodulation therapy can serve as an effective preventive and therapeutic modality to manage cancer treatment induced oral mucositis.