Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Literature Review of the Prevention and Reduction of Oral Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a highly debilitating complication of high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation used in conditioning regimens for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Research has studied low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an alternative treatment for OM because of its anti-inflammatory activity, biomodulation, and analgesic effects.

Objectives: This study reviews evidence on the effectiveness of LLLT using diode lasers on the prevention and reduction in severity of OM in patients with cancer undergoing HSCT.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed®, CINAHL®, Scopus®, and MEDLINE® databases. Six randomized controlled trials and one cohort study met the inclusion criteria. Findings: The data demonstrate promising outcomes for reducing the incidence and severity of OM using LLLT. Larger, tightly controlled clinical trials are needed in the future.