Low-level laser or LED photobiomodulation on oral mucositis in pediatric patients under high doses of methotrexate: prospective, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) devices for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy with high doses of methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly divided into two groups: LLLT and LEDT. Both protocols were applied with the same energy and radiant exposure. The protocols started in the beginning of high doses MTX and finished when the patients were discharged from the hospital or there was oral mucositis resolution. The oral mucositis was assessed during each session in accordance to the World Health Organization (WHO) score. The patients' self-assessed pain was scored on a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: The incidence of oral mucositis was similar to LLLT and LEDT, 10% and 12.5%, respectively. Both groups required the same number of days to reach score of zero for mucositis and pain (p > 0. 05), and there was no significant difference in mean VAS between the groups.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that LEDT has similar effects to LLLT to avoid and treat oral mucositis. Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry with #U1111-1221-5943.

Keywords: High-doses methotrexate; Light-emitting diode therapy; Low-level laser therapy; Oral Mucositis; Photobiomodulation.