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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-05-2013 | Original Article

Effect of low-level laser therapy on patient reported measures of oral mucositis and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy—a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Ajay Prashad Gautam, Donald J. Fernandes, Mamidipudi S. Vidyasagar, Arun G. Maiya, Shantling Nigudgi

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT)-induced oral mucositis (OM) adversely affects a patient’s oral functions and quality of life (QOL). Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) showed some preventive and curative effects against clinically reported objective measures of OM in few trials including our recently published study. There is dearth of evidence regarding the effects of LLLT on patient’s subjective experience of OM and QOL. Hence, we did this study to evaluate the effects of LLLT on a patient’s reported measures of OM and QOL in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving CRT.

Methods

This triple blinded study randomized 220 HNC patients scheduled for CRT (three weekly Cisplatin + RT = 66 Gray (2 Gy/session), five fractions/week for 6.5 weeks, total 33 fractions) into laser (110) and placebo (110) groups. The laser group received LLLT (Technomed Electronics Advanced Laser Therapy 1000, He–Ne, λ = 632.8 nm, power density = 24 mW/cm², dosage = 3.0 J at each point, total dose/session = 36–40 J, spot size 1 cm², irradiation time/point 125 s) before each radiation session, while the placebo group did not receive laser therapy. Methodology was similar to our recently published study (Gautam et al. Radiother Oncol 104:349–354, 2012). In this part of our study, a blinded assessor collected subjective outcomes of the patient’s reported measures of OM using Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire-Head and Neck (OMWQ-HN) and QOL using Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Head and Neck (FACT-HN) Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA through general linear model. Statistical significance was kept at p < 0.05.

Results

Results analysis revealed that OMWQ-HN (F = 12.199, df = 6,1314, p < 0.001) and FACT-HN (p < 0.05) scores were significantly lower in LLLT than placebo group patients. Also, a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in incidence of severe OM, need for opioid analgesics, and total parenteral nutrition was observed.

Conclusions

LLLT was effective in improving the patient’s subjective experience of OM and QOL in HNC patients receiving CRT.

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Title: Effect of low-level laser therapy on patient reported measures of oral mucositis and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy—a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ajay Prashad Gautam
Donald J. Fernandes
Mamidipudi S. Vidyasagar
Arun G. Maiya
Shantling Nigudgi
Publication date: 01-05-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1684-4

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