Photobiomodulation with light-emitting diode in the management of oral mucositis induced by antineoplastic treatments: a systematic review

The aim of the present systematic review was to collect and synthesize the literature concerning the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) with light-emitting diode (LED) on the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis (OM).

A systematic review was conducted based on PRISMA 2020 statement. The searches were undertaken in four electronic databases and gray literature, according to the following question: “Is LED-based PBM effective as a preventive and therapeutic treatment for oral mucositis induced by anticancer treatments?”. Inclusion criteria were preclinical studies or clinical trials of LED therapy for subjects with OM induced by antineoplastic treatment.

Eleven studies published between 2002 and 2022 were analyzed. The findings indicate that LED proved to be feasible and safe (3 clinical trials); effective in reducing inflammation (1 pre-clinical), severity (4 pre-clinical and 2 clinical trials), and analgesic and anti-inflammatory prescription requirements (1 clinical trial); in accelerating wound healing (2 pre-clinical and 1 clinical trial); preventing OM (1 pre-clinical and 2 clinical trials); and controlling pain (5 clinical trials). In addition, LED proved to have similar effects to low level laser therapy (LLLT) (2 pre-clinical studies and 2 clinical trials).

The current study adds to our understanding of how PBM with LED could play a significant role in the management of OM and reports promising results of this resource for managing a debilitating complication of cancer therapy.