Impact of low-level laser therapy on the quality of life of patients with xerostomia undergoing head and neck radiotherapy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To carry out a systematic review to assess whether low-level laser therapy can improve the quality of life of patients with xerostomia undergoing head and neck radiotherapy. METHODS: A systematic search was performed through Embase, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, nonpeer-reviewed clinicaltrials.gov and LILACS. The strategy included clinical studies were selected that prospectively followed or evaluated the quality of life by directly comparing the use of low-level laser therapy for xerostomia induced by head and neck radiotherapy with alternative therapies without the use of a laser. The risk of bias in the studies was assessed by RoB 2.0 and Robins I. RESULTS: After all application of the predetermined criteria, four studies were included, dated between the years 2014 and 2023. Three studies described as randomized clinical trials were included, one of which was a randomized pilot study and only one was a prospective clinical trial. A total of 126 patients were evaluated, all four studies used the infrared wavelength, with two studies using the combination with the red wavelength. It was observed that low-level laser therapy can change the sensation of dry mouth, improving patients' quality of life. In addition, changes related to increased stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow were also identified. CONCLUSION: The use of low-level laser therapy has promising results on xerostomia, consequently improving the quality of life of patients undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region.

Does listening to music reduce anxiety and pain in third molar surgery?-a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review on the effects of listening to music in reducing preoperative anxiety and pain (intra or postoperative) in third molar extractions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review modeled according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. The MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched for relevant reports. To be included in the study sample, the studies were required to be randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the effects of listening to music on outcomes of third molar extraction. Two reviewers independently extracted the relevant data from the reports. RESULTS: A total of 1882 studies were retrieved after the duplicates were removed. After applying the inclusion criteria, five studies were included for qualitative analysis. In 4 studies, music was played before and during the extraction of the impacted third molars. In one study, music was played only before the procedure. The genres varied from classic piano music to rock, pop, jazz, folk, and even hymns. Overall, music listening was beneficial for patients in reducing preoperative anxiety or anxiety during the procedure compared to control. However, only one study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Music may be an effective non-pharmacological measure to reduce preoperative anxiety in patients scheduled for third molar extraction; however, the hemodynamic effects and the effects on pain (both perioperative and postoperative) should be further explored. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The side effects of certain medications may be avoided if listening to music is used in third molar extractions.