Photobiomodulation is effective in oral lichen planus: A randomized, controlled, double‐blind study
Elza Padilha Ferri, Karen Roberta Lopes Cunha, Clery Saad Abboud, Camila de Barros Gallo, Sérgio de Sousa Sobral, Daniela de Fátima Teixeira da Silva, Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana, Adriana Lino‐dos‐Santos‐Franco, Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation to that of topical clobetasol 0.05% in patients with symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP). SUBJECTS: Thirty-four patients with symptomatic OLP were randomly allocated into two groups: (a) the Control group (n = 17), application of topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% three times a day for 30 consecutive days with laser placebo applied twice a week to mask the treatment, and (b) the photobiomodulation group (n = 17), laser application twice a week, totalling 8 sessions, and gel placebo for 30 consecutive days to mask the treatment. Evaluations were performed once a week during treatment and 30, 60 and 90 days after treatment. The following parameters were evaluated: pain, clinical scores, clinical resolution and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Photobiomodulation and propionate clobetasol 0.05% were able to significantly decrease pain in oral lichen planus patients and improve clinical scores during treatment and follow-up. Both the Control and photobiomodulation groups presented similar clinical resolution and recurrence rates. Most importantly, no difference was observed between treatments during treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that photobiomodulation twice a week is as effective as corticoid therapy in treating oral lichen planus. Moreover, photobiomodulation is a safe and non-invasive therapy with the remarkable advantage of no adverse effects.