Alpha lipoic acid in burning mouth syndrome--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

J Oral Pathol Med. 2009 Mar;38(3):254-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2008.00735.x. Epub 2009 Jan 23.

Abstract

The burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition characterized by oral burning pain in the absence of clinical abnormalities and without established therapy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in the management of BMS symptoms through a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients (34 women and four men, median age 62.9 years, range 36-78) were included and 31 completed the study. The patients were randomized into two cycles of treatment: one with alpha lipoic acid and one with placebo both administered in identical capsules. These cycles were separated by a washout period of 20 days. The oral symptoms and the treatment response were assessed using a 100-mm visual analog scale before and after each cycle and the global perceived effect score, using a 5-point scale after each treatment cycle.

Results: The level of reduction on burning was significant for both treatments (paired t-test: P < 0.05; rp = 0.011; ral < 0.001). Considering the two cycles together, 22 patients reported at least some improvement after ALA use and 23 patients after placebo.

Conclusions: Comparison of the oral assessment scores of the two cycles failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ALA over placebo (t-test: P > 0.05; r = 0.75).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Thioctic Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Thioctic Acid