Efficacy of low-level laser therapy compared to steroid therapy in the treatment of oral lichen planus: A systematic review
Akram Z, Abduljabbar T, Vohra F, Javed F
Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology · 42 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
- University or hospital
- King Saud University
- Grants
- King Saud University (RG‐1438‐075)
Based on 1 listed funder(s).
Publication
- Published
- 2017-08-02 · J Oral Pathol Med · vol. 47 · issue 1 · pp. 11–17
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Cited
- 67 citations · more than 80% of similar papers · 1.3× the field average
- References
- 30 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · OTHER-OA
- Research areas
- Oral Health Pathology and Treatment · Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine · Oral health in cancer treatment
- Keywords
- Medicine, Oral lichen planus, Laser therapy, Dermatology, Low level laser therapy, Laser
- MeSH
- humans, lichen planus, oral, steroids, adrenal cortex hormones, treatment outcome, administration, topical, databases, factual, adult, lasers, semiconductor, low-level light therapy
4 authors
From PK, SA, US
- Zohaib Akram · correspondingZiauddin University
- Tariq S. AbduljabbarKing Saud University
- Fahim Ahmed VohraKing Saud University
- Fawad JavedEastman Chemical Company (United States); University of Rochester
Abstract
Background
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been proposed as a potential treatment strategy for the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of LLLT, in comparison with corticosteroid therapy, in the treatment of OLP.
Materials and methods
This systematic review aimed to address the following focused question: "Does LLLT yield better clinical outcomes than corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of OLP?" Indexed databases were searched up to and including April 2017. Clinical trials in humans diagnosed clinically and/or histologically with OLP allocated to test (LLLT) versus control (steroid therapy) groups were included.
Results
Five clinical studies were included. The risk of bias was considered high in four studies and moderate in one study. Laser wavelengths, power, spot size, and duration of laser exposure ranged between 630 and 970 nm, 10-3000 mW, 0.2-1.0 cm2 , and 6-480 seconds, respectively. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 48 weeks. All included studies reporting clinical scores showed that LLLT was effective in the treatment of OLP in adult patients at follow-up. Three studies showed significantly higher improvements with topical use of corticosteroids compared to LLLT, while one study showed significant improvement with LLLT. One study showed comparable outcomes between LLLT and corticosteroid application.
Conclusion
It remains debatable whether LLLT is more effective as compared to corticosteroids in the treatment of OLP, given that the scientific evidence is weak. These findings are preliminary and further randomized clinical trials are recommended.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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