Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in recurrent herpes labialis management: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at assessing the therapeutic efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the management of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) by evaluating both pain and clinical recovery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on 40 patients with RHL, and they were randomly divided into two groups, where 20 patients received treatment with PBMT (650 nm, 100 mW, 4.7 J/cm2), continuous mode, for 120 s, and placebo cream, while another 20 patients (control group) were treated with acyclovir cream 5% (5 times/5 days) and passive laser. Pain was assessed at five different times. The day when the complete disappearance of the pain was observed and the day when the crust fell off spontaneously were also recorded. RESULTS: The pain level in the control group was significantly higher than that in the PBMT group after the second application of the laser, while the differences were not significant between the two groups at other times. The pain in the PBMT group disappeared faster than that in the control group, but the difference was not significant in terms of clinical recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Photobiomodulation therapy of herpes labialis reduced pain significantly faster than acyclovir, but there was no difference in healing time between the groups in light of the parameters used in this study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PBMT is a promising treatment that may be an effective alternative to acyclovir in the management of recurrent herpes labialis. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN: com ID: ISRCTN87606522.

Is low-level laser therapy effective in the treatment of herpes labialis? Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of herpes labialis. The searches were carried out independently by 2 researchers and the articles were selected through the electronic databases according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria previously established. Initially, 480 articles were found, of which 7 randomized clinical trials and 1 clinical trial were selected. In total, 928 patients were included. In the meta-analysis, the mean healing time for laser use was significant, showing a mean reduction of 1.37 [CI 95% = 0.92 to 1.82] days for tissue healing (p < 0.0001). In the meta-analysis to evaluate the time for crust formation, there was no significant difference between the groups and no significant reduction in the mean time for crust formation (p = 0.150). Only one of the selected studies had a low risk of bias. The use of low-level laser proved to be effective in the treatment of herpes labialis. However, due to the high risk of bias in the included studies, there is a need to carry out new standardized studies to prove the effectiveness of this therapy.

Photobiomodulation for Preventive Therapy of Recurrent Herpes Labialis: A 2-Year In Vivo Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) through a randomized controlled clinical trial. Background data: RHL is a lifelong infection that effects patients' quality of life. In the literature PBMT has shown positive results preventing RHL, decreasing recurrences and severity of lesions. Despite the good results reported, there are still few controlled clinical studies published on the subject. Methods: For this study, 158 volunteers were recruited and were randomly divided into three study groups: Laser 1-1 J/point (L1J): n = 61, Laser 2-2 J/point (L2J): n = 50, and placebo-0 J/point: n = 47. The treatment consisted of a protocol of 15 sessions throughout 6 months and 2 years of follow-up posttreatment. Results: The results showed that L1J presented the most satisfactory results concerning the reduction of the number of lesions per year and less severity of recurrences in the long-term evaluation when compared with L2J. Both Laser Groups (L1J and L2J) were statistically more efficient than placebo in all aspects analyzed. All patients who received laser treatment (L1J and L2J) and presented recurrences had significant improvement in frequency and/or severity of lesions. No patient had side effects from treatment. Conclusions: PBMT can be effective in the reduction of the frequency of recurrences of RHL and in the severity of postirradiation lesions that may appear.

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in management of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review.

Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a highly prevalent viral infection that affects the oro-facial region. Current treatment options have limited efficacy in reducing healing time and recurrence rate of the disease. Recently, low-level laser therapy has been proposed as a potential treatment alternative for the management of RHL with no side effects. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy in the management and prevention of RHL. A comprehensive search of Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was carried out to identify published clinical trials comparing laser intervention to active and/or non-active controls for the treatment of RHL. Due to marked heterogeneity of available data, studies were assessed qualitatively, and no statistical analysis was performed. Of the retrieved 227 articles, six clinical trials met the eligibility criteria. The wavelengths, the power output, and energy density ranged between 632.5-870 nm, 5-80 W, and 2.04-48 J/cm2, respectively. All included studies found laser to be effective in the management and prevention of RHL, without any side effects. The findings of this review suggest that laser is potentially a safe and effective treatment alternative for the management of RHL. However, due to high variability in study designs and inconsistency in laser parameters among the included studies, more well-designed randomized clinical trials with standardized laser parameters are highly warranted.

Laser treatment of recurrent herpes labialis: a literature review.

Recurrent herpes labialis is a worldwide life-long oral health problem that remains unsolved. It affects approximately one third of the world population and causes frequent pain and discomfort episodes, as well as social restriction due to its compromise of esthetic features. In addition, the available antiviral drugs have not been successful in completely eliminating the virus and its recurrence. Currently, different kinds of laser treatment and different protocols have been proposed for the management of recurrent herpes labialis. Therefore, the aim of the present article was to review the literature regarding the effects of laser irradiation on recurrent herpes labialis and to identify the indications and most successful clinical protocols. The literature was searched with the aim of identifying the effects on healing time, pain relief, duration of viral shedding, viral inactivation, and interval of recurrence. According to the literature, none of the laser treatment modalities is able to completely eliminate the virus and its recurrence. However, laser phototherapy appears to strongly decrease pain and the interval of recurrences without causing any side effects. Photodynamic therapy can be helpful in reducing viral titer in the vesicle phase, and high-power lasers may be useful to drain vesicles. The main advantages of the laser treatment appear to be the absence of side effects and drug interactions, which are especially helpful for older and immunocompromised patients. Although these results indicate a potential beneficial use for lasers in the management of recurrent herpes labialis, they are based on limited published clinical trials and case reports. The literature still lacks double-blind controlled clinical trials verifying these effects and such trials should be the focus of future research.

The effect of 670-nm low laser therapy on herpes simplex type 1.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to study the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing and relapse intervals in patients with recurrent labial herpes simplex infections. BACKGROUND DATA: Several pharmaceuticals are available to reduce symptoms and improbé healing of labial herpes, but only LLLT has been reported to significantly influence the length of the recurrence period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an initial study, 232 patients with herpes simplex type 1 virus symptoms were consecutively selected for either LLLT or conventional therapy, including acyclovir cream or tablets. One of the dentists was responsible for the diagnosis, a second dentist for the treatment, and and a third for the evaluation, to allow for a semi-blinded procedure. Patients in the laser group received 670-nm laser irradiation, 40 mW, 1.6 J, 2.04 J/cm(2), 51 mW/cm(2) per blister in the prodromal stage and 4.8 J in the crust and secondarily infected stages, plus 1.2 J at the C2-C3 vertebrae. Patients were monitored daily during the first week to control healing, and monthly for 1 year to check on recurrence. In a consecutive study, 322 patients receiving LLLT were followed during 5 years to observe the period of ocurrences. RESULTS: An obvious effect of LLLT was found for both initial healing and for the length of the recurrence periods. CONCLUSIONS: LLLTof herpes simples virus 1 (HSV-1) appears to be an effective treatment modality without any observed side effects.

Recurrent herpes simplex infections: laser therapy as a potential tool for long-term successful treatment.

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 are the main infectious agents associated with oral and genital ulcerations. These infections are now widely recognized as sexually transmitted diseases. Among treatment options, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has shown promising clinical results as a longer-lasting suppression therapy. Two clinical cases are described with recurrent labial herpes for which LLLT was used. Following treatment, both patients remained symptom free during the 17-month clinical follow-up period.

Recurrent herpes simplex infections: laser therapy as a potential tool for long-term successful treatment / Herpes simplex recorrente: laser terapia como método alternativo para tratamento a longo prazo

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 are the main infectious agents associated with oral and genital ulcerations. These infections are now widely recognized as sexually transmitted diseases. Among treatment options, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has shown promising clinical results as a longer-lasting suppression therapy. Two clinical cases are described with recurrent labial herpes for which LLLT was used. Following treatment, both patients remained symptom free during the 17-month clinical follow-up period.

Os vírus do herpes simplex tipos 1 e 2 são os principais agentes infecciosos associados às ulcerações orais e vaginais. Estas infecções são amplamente reconhecidas como doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Entre as opções de tratamento, o laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) mostrou resultados promissores como terapia de supressão de longa duração. Descrevemos dois casos clínicos com herpes labial recorrentes nos quais o LBI foi utilizado que permaneceram assintomáticos durante 17 meses de controle clínico.

Low- and high-intensity lasers in the treatment of herpes simplex virus 1 infection.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common viral infections of the human being. Although most of the seropositive persons do not manifest symptoms, infected individuals may present recurrent infections, characterized by cold sores. HSV-1 infection can result in potentially harmful complications in some patients, especially in those with compromised immunity. We report a clinical case of a patient with severe oral HSV-1 infection in the lower lip. The treatment of the lesions with the association of high-intensity (erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, 2.94 mum, 80 mJ/pulse, 2-4 Hz) and low-intensity (indium gallium aluminum phosphide, 660 nm, 3.8 J/cm(2), 10 mW) lasers has not been reported in the literature. During treatment, no systemic or topical medication was used. Pain sensitivity was completely gone after the first irradiation with the low-intensity laser. During the healing process, lesions were traumatized twice, on the days 4 and 7. Even though the lesions were completely healed within 10 days.

Effect of laser phototherapy on recurring herpes labialis prevention: an in vivo study.

Alternative treatment for recurrent labial infection by herpes simplex virus (HSV) have been considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laser phototherapy in prevention and reduction of severity of labial manifestations of herpes labialis virus. Seventy-one patients, divided into experimental (n = 41) and control (n = 30) groups were followed up for 16 months. Patients in the control group were treated topically with aciclovir and patients in the experimental group were subjected to laser phototherapy (one session per week, 10 weeks): 780 nm, 60 mW, 3.0 J/cm(2) or 4.5 J/cm(2) on healthy (no HSV-1 infection) and affected (with HSV-1 infection) tissues. Patients in the experimental group presented a significant decrease in dimension of herpes labialis lesions (P = 0.013) and inflammatory edema (P = 0.031). The reduction in pain level (P = 0.051) and monthly recurrences (P = 0.076) did not reach statistical significance. This study represents an in vivo indication that this treatment should be further considered as an effective alternative to therapeutic regimens for herpes labialis lesions.

High-intensity laser and photodynamic therapy as a treatment for recurrent herpes labialis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) using a high-intensity laser or methylene blue (MB)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four clinical cases of patients diagnosed with RHL are described in this report. Two patients were subjected to high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) followed by LLLT, and two patients received MB-mediated PDT, again followed by LLLT. LLLT was conducted at 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 d after HILT or PDT. Patients were followed up after 6 mo. RESULTS: Throughout the follow-up period, all patients reported pain relief and did not show any signs or symptoms of RHL. A favorable healing process was observed in all cases. None of the patients reported pain as a consequence of the treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HILT and MB-mediated PDT, in combination with LLLT, may constitute a benefit when treating vesicles in RHL.

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis: preliminary results.

This study sought to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients who had been diagnosed with recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) after treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) associated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). PDT has shown great effectiveness for treating already-established RHL vesicles, compared to ordinary treatments involving antiviral compounds. Two patients with vesicles on their lips were treated with PDT, followed by irradiation with LLLT. Both patients reported pain relief immediately after the procedure; at a six-month follow-up, neither patient showed signs or symptoms that related to RHL.

[Studies on the therapeutic efficacy of a HeNe laser]. / Untersuchung zur therapeutischen Wirksamkeit eines He-Ne-Lasers.

Numerous manufactures recommend He-Ne-Lasers for a wide range of applications in medicine and dentistry. An athermal biostimulating mechanism of action is postulated to result in rapid reduction of pain and accelerated wound healing. The efficacy of a commercially available He-Ne-Laser in the treatment of alveolitis, solitary aphthae, ulcers caused by dentures, herpes simplex labialis, marginal periodontopathy and pericoronitis was investigated in 90 cases. Except for a placebo effect no reproducible therapeutic effects could be seen. Nevertheless, there is a high degree of acceptance for laser application by most of patients.

The soft laser: therapeutic tool or popular placebo?

Because of the alleged effectiveness of soft laser therapy in the treatment of a wide range of medical and dental conditions, it is becoming increasingly popular with both patients and practitioners. It was the purpose of this study to assess soft laser treatment of hypersensitive dentin, gingivitis, pulp-capped teeth, herpes labialis, and nausea. Clinical trails demonstrated no advantage in augmenting or replacing conventional treatment of these conditions with soft laser therapy, despite its positive effect on patient attitude toward treatment.