Cauwels, R.G., & Martens, L.C. (2011). Low level laser therapy in oral mucositis: A pilot study. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 12, 118–123.

To study the capacity of pain relief and wound healing of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in a pediatric population

Children were treated using a GaAIAs diode laser with 830 nm continuous wavelength an output of 150 mW. Laser was applied every 48 hours until complete healing of the lesion occurred.

• The study reported on 16 patients with a mean age of 9.4 years.
• The sample was 50% male and 50% female.
• Patients had been diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma (n = 12), neuroblastoma (n = 1), osteosarcoma (n = 1), Ewing’s sarcoma (n = 1), and germ cell tumor (n = 1).
• All patients were receiving chemotherapy.

The study was conducted at a single site in Belgium.

• Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
• The study has clinical applicability for pediatrics.

The study used a convenience sample.

• The Modified Faces Pain Scale was used.
• A visual analogue scale was used.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Toxicity Scale was used.

Fifty episodes of oral mucositis were included. Pain scores improved after each session with only one exception.

The LLLT appeared to be effective for pain relief in this population.

• The study sample size was small with fewer than 30 patients.
• No control group was included.
• Wound healing measures could have been used, as these are more objective.