Efficacy of 660 nm Photobiomodulation in Burning Mouth Syndrome Management: A Single-Blind Quasi-Experimental Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa without any evidence of clinical signs or underlining condition. Several treatment modalities have been utilized with various results and levels of evidence. Lately, photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a noninvasive effective therapy due to its anti-inflammatory and biostimulatory effects, especially the low-power laser setting of red wavelength. Objective: This single-blind quasi-experimental controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the PBM effectiveness at a low level of red laser light in patients with BMS compared with sham control. Materials and methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with BMS were consecutively assigned to intervention (PBM therapy) and control (sham) groups. The protocol for PBM dosimetry was as follows: laser 660 nm; spot size: 0.04 cm2; power output: 100 mW; emission mode: continuous wave; power density: 6 J/cm2; irradiation time: 10 sec per point within 1 cm2 surface area of the symptomatic area. The treatment protocol was based on once a week for a total of 10 sessions. Results: Our results showed no statistically significant difference in reduction of pain intensity between the two groups at all the evaluated timepoints during the course of treatment. However, in both groups, we observed a statistically significant reduction of maximum pain intensity of 50% compared with patient-self reporting before the treatment. Conclusions: Further randomized clinical trials to validate our positive results with a large sample size with a long-term follow-up and understanding further the sham placebo effect are warranted.

Efficacy of photobiomodulation on oral lichen planus: a protocol study for a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an idiopathic chronic mucocutaneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including white reticular patches, erosive/ulcerative and atrophic lesions, both associated with intense symptomatology. Topical corticosteroids are commonly used as standard therapy. However, patients frequently present relapses after the discontinuation of treatment as well as developing resistance to corticosteroid therapy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been shown to be a potential therapeutic tool to treat inflammatory disorders, including OLP. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of PBM (660 nm) with corticosteroid therapy with clobetasol propionate 0.05% for the treatment of OLP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Forty-four patients with symptomatic and histopathological diagnosis of OLP will be randomised into two experimental groups in a double-blind manner: control group (n=22): clobetasol propionate 0.05%+placebo PBM, and experimental group (n=22): PBM (λ=660 nm, power 100 mW, radiant exposure: 177 J/cm2 and 0.5J per point)+placebo gel. Laser will be applied 2×/week for 1 month and clobetasol propionate three times a day for 30 days and the same for placebo treatments. The primary variable (pain) and the secondary variables (clinical score, evaluation of functional scores, clinical resolution, OLP recurrence, quality of life and anxiety and depression) will be evaluated at the baseline, once a week during treatment (depending on the variables) and after 30 days and 60 days of follow-up. Pain will be evaluated using visual analogue scale and clinical characteristics will be scored using the Thongprasom Index. The quality of life and anxiety and depression will be evaluated by Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire and by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety scale, respectively. The serum and salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1ß, INF-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α will be evaluated by ELISA at baseline and at the end of treatment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol was approved (#2.375.410) by the Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE) Research Ethics Committee. The data gathered using this protocol will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03320460.

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic response in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome: accompanying 2 years / Características clínicas e resposta terapêutica em pacientes portadores da Síndrome de Ardência Bucal: acompanhamento de 2 anos

Introduction: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition characterized by burning symptom of the oral mucosa in the absence of clinical signs. Its etiology is still unknown and, and to date there is no effective treatment. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with BMS profile and the therapies results in a retrospective study. Material and method: Clinical and therapeutic data were collected from records of patients with BMS diagnosed between January 2013 to April 2015 at the Clinic of Stomatology Clinic, Faculdade de Odontologia of Universidade de São Paulo, according to the criteria established by the International Headache Society in 2013. The therapies used for BMS control were also evaluated. Result: Twelve patients were diagnosed with BMS at this period. All of them were women with a mean age of 61.18 years and the apex of the tongue was the most common affected site and the duration of the burning sensation ranged from 6 months to 25 years. Many therapies were prescribed for BMS control, such as topical capsaicin, topical clonazepan, low level laser therapy and homeopathy. Among the established therapies, capsaicin has immediate effect in reducing symptoms. Conclusion: The present study showed that the challenges towards an effective treatment for BMS are varied and are mainly related to the lack knowing of the pathogenesis of this disease. The demographic profile of patients studied here was similar to that described in the available literature, however, the variables represented by secondary symptoms (medical history, anxiety and depression levels) may be modifying factors of therapeutic response and the pathogenesis of the disease itself.

Introdução: A Síndrome de Ardência Bucal (SAB) é uma condição caracterizada pelo sintoma de ardência na mucosa oral na ausência de qualquer sinal clínico. Sua etiologia ainda é desconhecida e, até o momento, não dispõe de tratamento efetivo. Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil do paciente portador de SAB, as terapias instituídas e seus resultados em estudo retrospectivo. Material e método: Foram coletados os dados clínicos e terapêuticos dos prontuários de pacientes diagnosticados com SAB, no período de janeiro de 2013 a abril de 2015, no Ambulatório da Disciplina de Estomatologia Clínica da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo. Os critérios para o diagnóstico utilizados se basearam nos estabelecidos pela International Headache Society em 2013 e foram observadas as terapêuticas empregadas e seus resultados. Resultado: Doze pacientes foram diagnosticadas com SAB neste período, todas do sexo feminino, média de idade 61,18 anos, e a principal região acometida pelo sintoma de ardor foi o ápice de língua. O tempo de duração deste sintoma variou de 6 meses a 25 anos. As terapias utilizadas para o controle de sintomas da SAB foram capsaicina, clonazepan tópico, laserterapia e homeopatia. Dentre as terapias instituídas, a capsaicina apresentou efeito imediato na redução dos sintomas. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que os desafios que circundam a obtenção de um tratamento efetivo para a SAB são diversos e estão principalmente relacionados ao desconhecimento da etiopatogenia da doença. O perfil demográfico dos pacientes aqui estudados foi semelhante ao descrito na literatura disponível, entretanto, as variáveis representadas por sintomas secundários (história médica, níveis de ansiedade e depressão) podem constituir fatores modificadores da resposta terapêutica e da própria etiopatogenia da doença.

Low Intensity laser therapy in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). Thirty BMS subjects were randomized into two groups - Laser (LG) and Placebo (CG). Seven patients dropped out, leaving 13 patients in LG and 10 patients in CG. Each patient received 4 irradiations (laser or placebo) twice a week, for two consecutive weeks (blinded to the type of irradiation received). Infrared laser (AsGaAI) irradiations were applied to the affected mucosa in scanning mode, wavelength of 790 nm, output power of 20 mW and fluence of 6 J/cm2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the therapeutic effect before and after each irradiation, and at all the control time periods: 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after the last irradiation. One researcher delivered irradiation and another recorded the results. Both researchers were blinded, the first to the results, and the second to the type of radiation applied. The results were categorized according to the percentage of symptom level variation, and showed a statistically better response in LG in only two categories of the control checkpoints (p=0.02; Fisher's Exact Test). According to the protocol used in this study, low intensity laser therapy is as beneficial to patients with BMS as placebo treatment, indicating a great emotional component of involvement in BMS symptomatology. Nevertheless, there were positive results in some statistical analyses, thus encouraging further research in BMS laser therapy with other irradiation parameters.

Low Intensity laser therapy in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled study

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy in patients with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). Thirty BMS subjects were randomized into two groups - Laser (LG) and Placebo (CG). Seven patients dropped out, leaving 13 patients in LG and 10 patients in CG. Each patient received 4 irradiations (laser or placebo) twice a week, for two consecutive weeks (blinded to the type of irradiation received). Infrared laser (AsGaAI) irradiations were applied to the affected mucosa in scanning mode, wavelength of 790 nm, output power of 20 mW and fluence of 6 J/cm2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the therapeutic effect before and after each irradiation, and at all the control time periods: 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90 days after the last irradiation. One researcher delivered irradiation and another recorded the results. Both researchers were blinded, the first to the results, and the second to the type of radiation applied. The results were categorized according to the percentage of symptom level variation, and showed a statistically better response in LG in only two categories of the control checkpoints (p=0.02; Fisher's Exact Test). According to the protocol used in this study, low intensity laser therapy is as beneficial to patients with BMS as placebo treatment, indicating a great emotional component of involvement in BMS symptomatology. Nevertheless, there were positive results in some statistical analyses, thus encouraging further research in BMS laser therapy with other irradiation parameters.