Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Radiotherapy-Induced Hyposalivation and Xerostomia: A Pilot Study

Abstract

With the parameters used, LLLT was not able to increase SFR or decrease xerostomia. The results may be associated with the late effects of radiotherapy on glandular structure, such as fibrosis and acinar atrophy.

Interventions for the management of radiotherapy-induced xerostomia and hyposalivation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Two studies assessed salivary flow one or more weeks after completion of the experimental treatment [31,33] whereas the timing of salivary flow collection at endpoint remained unclear in three studies [21,23,25]. or more weeks after completion of the intervention [31,33], whereas timing of outcome collection was unclear in three studies [26,29,34].…”

“…One trial tested the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in improving xerostomia symptoms (VAS), salivary flow and quality of life (assessed through the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire) [23]. The groups underwent two weekly sessions of low-level laser therapy for six weeks but in the control group a plastic tip blocked the emission of radiation.…”

“…Table 2 shows study populations, interventions, and extracted outcome measures for eligible trials. Seventeen studies used changes in xerostomia symptoms as an outcome; outcome measures included the visual analogue scale (nine studies) [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25], the xerostomia inventory (one study) [26], the Walizer Mouth Dryness questionnaire (one study) [27], the global rating of change scale (two studies in one paper) [28], general xerostomia questionnaires (two studies) [29,30], and the xerostomia items of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Head and Neck Module (EORTC-H&N35) instrument (two studies) [31,32]. At endpoint, symptoms were assessed shortly after administration of the intervention in three studies [28,29], and after 180 minutes in one trial [19], and therefore refer to symptoms perceived by participants during enhancement of salivary gland function.…”

Low-level laser therapy/photobiomodulation in the management of side effects of chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: part 2: proposed applications and treatment protocols

“…Increased salivary flow was observed in HNC patients treated with RT [70]. A recent study performed in HNC patients at least 6 months following conventional RT found no improvement of hyposalivation and xerostomia, likely due to irreversible acinar atrophy and fibrosis [71]. …”

Evaluation of Aquaporins 1 and 5 Expression in Rat Parotid Glands After Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy and Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy at Different Times

“…6,7 Among the treatment modalities used to improve the sequelae of radiotherapy to the salivary glands, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has produced favourable results in terms of tissue repair and biomodulation of the inflammatory process, [8][9][10][11][12][13] especially in clinical and histological studies evaluating the effects of LLLT on the salivary glands in the ionising radiation field. [14][15][16][17] Damage caused by radiotherapy to the stroma and structures involved in the process of salivary secretion has a direct impact on salivary production and flow. Water transport by the acinar cells for primary production of saliva occurs through specific proteins, namely aquaporins (AQPs).…”