PBM appears to minimize radiation-induced hyposalivation. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Does laser photobiomodulation prevent hyposalivation in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.
Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2020 Dec ;156:103115. Epub 2020 Oct 1. PMID: 33039721
Gabriel Campos Louzeiro
INTRODUCTION: Head and neck radiotherapy can cause hypofunction of the salivary glands. Many studies report that laser photobiomodulation (PBM) is able to minimize radiation-induced hyposalivation, yet there is no consensus about its effects.
OBJECTIVE: To carry out a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials that used PBM to prevent radiation-induced hyposalivation.
METHODS: A systematic search was performed through Embase, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO, Scopus, LILACS and Web of Science databases. The strategy included comparisons of the effect of PBM with placebo/clinical follow-up on unstimulated and/or stimulated salivary flow in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy.
RESULTS: Six clinical trials were included, five of which were used for meta-analysis. Evidence was observed between the use of PBM and increased unstimulated salivary flow (MD 0.20 mL/min, 95 % Cl 0.10-0.30, I²= 96 %, p<0.00001) and in stimulated salivary flow (MD 0.27 mL/min, 95 % CI 0.08-0.46, I²= 95 %, p<0.00001).
CONCLUSION: PBM appears to minimize radiation-induced hyposalivation.
