Effects of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy in burning mouth syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has proven to be effective in different painful conditions.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of photobiomodulation for pain management in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients, besides analysing the impact on different aspects of quality of life.

METHODS

A randomized, single-blind, clinical trial was performed among 20 patients with BMS. Photobiomodulation was applied in the study group (n = 10) with a dose of 12 J/cm during 10 sessions, comparing with a placebo group (n = 10) with the laser turned off. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) before starting each treatment session, and at the 1-month and 4-month follow-up appointments. Some validated questionnaires for general health were also complete: SF-36, OHIP-14, Epworth, SCL 90-R and McGill.

RESULTS

All patients (n = 10) in the study group improved their pain ending treatment and remaining among 90% (n = 9) in the 4-month follow-up. Significant improvement was found in the study group in some sections of McGill questionnaire, Epworth scale, and SCL 90-R at the end of the treatment and in the 1-month and 4-month follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONS

Photobiomodulation seems to be effective in reducing pain in patients with BMS, as well as, having a positive impact on the psychological state of these patients.