Gouvea de Lima, A., Villar, R.C., de Castro, G., Jr., Antequera, R., Gil, E., Rosalmeida, M.C., … Snitcovsky, I.M.L. (2012). Oral mucositis prevention by low-level laser therapy in head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A phase III randomized study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 82, 270–275.
DOI Link
Study Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to decrease severe oral mucositis and reduce radiation therapy (RT) interruptions
Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process
Patients received either gallium aluminum arsenide LLLT 2.5 J/cm2 or placebo laser before each radiation fraction.
Sample Characteristics
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The study reported on 75 patients with a median age of 55 years.
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The sample was 76% male and 24% female.
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Patients had head and neck cancer, which was primarily squamous cell carcinoma.
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All patients underwent conventionally fractionated RT s-GY daily fractions, five times per week.
Setting
This was a single-site, outpatient study conducted in Brazil.
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
Study Design
This was a randomized, double-blind, phase III study.
Measurement Instruments/Methods
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The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC), version 2, was used.
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A visual analog scale was used.
Results
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Appearance of grade 3 mucositis was delayed in the patients treated with LLLT.
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Unplanned RT interruptions because of severe mucositis were necessary for six patients in the placebo arm and none in the LLLT arm.
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Pain scores and analgesic medication use were similar in the two arms.
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No significant differences were found between groups.
Conclusions
LLLT benefit was limited to fewer interruptions in RT.
Limitations
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The sample size was small with fewer than 100 patients.
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Another dosage or a specific type of LLLT may be more effective.
Nursing Implications
LLLT dosage, schedule, specific laser type, and availability all need to be addressed.