Low Intensity laser therapy in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). Thirty BMS subjects were randomized into two groups - Laser (LG) and Placebo (CG). Seven patients dropped out, leaving 13 patients in LG and 10 patients in CG. Each patient received 4 irradiations (laser or placebo) twice a week, for two consecutive weeks (blinded to the type of irradiation received). Infrared laser (AsGaAI) irradiations were applied to the affected mucosa in scanning mode, wavelength of 790 nm, output power of 20 mW and fluence of 6 J/cm2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the therapeutic effect before and after each irradiation, and at all the control time periods: 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after the last irradiation. One researcher delivered irradiation and another recorded the results. Both researchers were blinded, the first to the results, and the second to the type of radiation applied. The results were categorized according to the percentage of symptom level variation, and showed a statistically better response in LG in only two categories of the control checkpoints (p=0.02; Fisher's Exact Test). According to the protocol used in this study, low intensity laser therapy is as beneficial to patients with BMS as placebo treatment, indicating a great emotional component of involvement in BMS symptomatology. Nevertheless, there were positive results in some statistical analyses, thus encouraging further research in BMS laser therapy with other irradiation parameters.

Low Intensity laser therapy in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled study

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). Thirty BMS subjects were randomized into two groups - Laser (LG) and Placebo (CG). Seven patients dropped out, leaving 13 patients in LG and 10 patients in CG. Each patient received 4 irradiations (laser or placebo) twice a week, for two consecutive weeks (blinded to the type of irradiation received). Infrared laser (AsGaAI) irradiations were applied to the affected mucosa in scanning mode, wavelength of 790 nm, output power of 20 mW and fluence of 6 J/cm2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the therapeutic effect before and after each irradiation, and at all the control time periods: 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after the last irradiation. One researcher delivered irradiation and another recorded the results. Both researchers were blinded, the first to the results, and the second to the type of radiation applied. The results were categorized according to the percentage of symptom level variation, and showed a statistically better response in LG in only two categories of the control checkpoints (p=0.02; Fisher's Exact Test). According to the protocol used in this study, low intensity laser therapy is as beneficial to patients with BMS as placebo treatment, indicating a great emotional component of involvement in BMS symptomatology. Nevertheless, there were positive results in some statistical analyses, thus encouraging further research in BMS laser therapy with other irradiation parameters.

Low-level laser therapy in burning mouth syndrome patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). In addition, the laser effect was compared on the different affected oral sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven subjects with a total of 25 sites (tongue, lower lip, upper lip, and palate) affected by a burning sensation were selected. The affected areas were irradiated once a week for three consecutive weeks with an infrared laser (λ = 790 nm). The probe was kept in contact with the tissue, and the mucosal surface was scanned during the irradiation. The exposure time was calculated based on the fluence of 6 J/cm(2), the output power of 120 mW, and the area to be treated. Burning intensity was recorded through a visual analog scale before and after the treatment and at the 6-week follow-up. The percentage of the improvement in symptoms was also obtained. RESULTS: Burning intensity at the end of the laser therapy was statistically lower than at the beginning (p < 0.01). Patients reported an 80.4% reduction in the intensity of symptoms after laser treatment. There was no statistical difference between the end of the treatment and the 6-week follow-up, except for the tongue site. CONCLUSION: Under the investigated parameters, infrared LLLT proved to be a valuable alternative for BMS treatment, providing a significant and lasting reduction in symptoms.

Terapia laser em baixa intensidade em pacientes portadores da Síndrome de Ardência Bucal: estudo randomizado e controlado / Low Level Light Therapy in Burning Mouth Syndrome patients: randomized and controlled trial

A Síndrome de Ardência Bucal (SAB) é uma condição de etiologia ainda desconhecida, caracterizada por ardência em mucosa oral na ausência de qualquer sinal clínico, cujo tratamento ainda é insatisfatório. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia terapêutica do laser em baixa intensidade para pacientes SAB, por meio de estudo controlado e randomizado. Vinte e três pacientes acometidos pela SAB atenderam aos critérios de inclusão, cumpriram o protocolo estabelecido e tiveram seus dados tabulados e analisados. Fizeram parte da avaliação inicial dos pacientes, exame clínico estomatológico completo, sialometria, exames hematológicos e avaliação psicológica voltada à identificação da qualidade de vida e de sinais de depressão. Constituíram-se dois grupos experimentais, que receberam quatro irradiações, duas por semana, de laser em baixa intensidade - grupo Laser, ou de falsa irradiação - grupo Placebo. O aparelho usado foi um laser em baixa intensidade (Quantum, EccoFibras, Campinas-Brasil) de AsGaAl, emitindo 790 nm e com 120 mW de potência. As irradiações foram realizadas na forma de varredura, nas áreas de mucosa acometidas pelo sintoma de ardência, fornecendo uma dose de 6 J/cm2. Os pacientes foram alocados entre os grupos segundo programa de randomização por computador, sendo mantidos cegos quanto ao tipo de irradiação recebida (laser ou placebo). Os resultados foram coletados por pesquisadora auxiliar, que não teve conhecimento do tipo de irradiação efetuada, por meio de escala visual analógica (VAS) e escala de percepção global (EPG).

A pesquisadora principal não teve acesso aos resultados, antes do término do estudo. Os pacientes foram avaliados ao início do estudo, em cada um dos quatro tempos de irradiação e aos 7, 14, 30, 60 e 90 dias após a última irradiação. Os pacientes foram categorizados, de acordo com seu percentual de sintoma, ao final do último controle: sem ardência (S.A)- 0% de sintomatologia, ótimo (O)- 1% a 25%, bom (B)- 26%-50%, regular (R)- 51%-75%, inalterado (I)- 76-100% e piora (P)- valores superiores a 100%. A análise estatística apontou uma melhor resposta no grupo Laser (p=0,03; Teste Exato de Fisher). Concluiu-se que a terapia com laser em baixa intensidade, segundo o protocolo utilizado neste estudo, produz benefício aos pacientes portadores da síndrome de ardência bucal, sem apresentar qualquer efeito colateral indesejável, sugerindo o aprofundamento da pesquisa nesse campo.

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition of unknown etiology, characterized by a burning sensation in the oral mucosa in the absence of any clinical sign, which treatment is still unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy for SAB patients, through a randomized controlled clinical trial. Twenty-three patients affected by SAB met the inclusion criteria, complied with the established protocol and had their data analyzed. Patients initial evaluation comprised a complete clinical examination, unstimulated salivary flow, hematological examination and psychological assessment focused on identifying the quality of life and signs of depression. Two experimental patients groups were constituted: a Laser group and a Placebo group, which received four irradiations, two per week, of low intensity laser or false irradiation, respectively. The laser device utilized was a low intensity laser (Quantum, EccoFibras, Campinas, Brazil) GaAlAs, emitting 790 nm with120 mW of power. The irradiations were performed scanning the areas of mucosa affected by the burning sensation, delivering a dose of 6 J/cm2. Patients were allocated among the groups with the aid of a randomization computer program. Patients were kept blind to the type of radiation received (laser or placebo). The results were obtained by a researcher assistant, who was unaware of the type of irradiation effected, by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a global perception scale (EPG).

The principal investigator had access to the results only at the end of the study. Patients were evaluated at baseline in each of the four times of irradiation and at 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after the last irradiation. Patients were categorized according to their percentage of symptom at the end of last control: no burning (SA) - 0% of symptoms, optimal (O) - 1% to 25%, good (B) - 26% -50 %, regular (R) - 51% -75%, unchanged (I) - 76-100%, and worsening (P) - values exceeding 100%. Statistical analysis showed a better response in the laser group (p = 0.03, Fisher's exact test). It was concluded that low intensity laser therapy, according to the protocol applied in this study, produces benefit to patients with burning mouth syndrome, without any undesirable side effect, suggesting further research in this field.