Impact of laser therapy on quality of life of cancer patients with oral mucositis

Abstract Introduction The use of laser therapy in cancer patients with oral mucositis have biological effects through biochemical and photophysical processes that increase the cell metabolism by stimulating mitochondrial activity, acting as analgesics, anti-inflammatory and reparative mucosal injury. Objective The objective is to ascertain the quality of life of patients with oral mucositis induced by anticancer treatments prior to application of laser therapy and subsequent regression of oral lesions. Methodology This is a Quasi-experimental Study with 18 cancer inpatient in hospital who developed oral mucositis. The instruments used were lifting sociodemographic data, the Survey of Quality of Life (UW-QOL) was applied before the sessions with low-power laser and after the regression of the lesions. Result The data were analyzed was Student's t test and chi-square test, admitting be significant p<0.05. The results analyzed revealed the most prevalent age group 65-74 years old, Caucasian ethnicity, male, married, elementary school as the predominant school, US users and residents of other cities. The most common cancer diagnosis was acute leukemia; chemotherapy appeared as treatment at 100% and 50% radiation. The mean quality of life scores of patients found was 456.2 prior to initiation of treatment with laser therapy and 678.3 after the intervention. Conclusion The quality of life improved after the sessions of laser therapy and it can be seen that the most significant changes occurred in areas related to pain, appearance, swallowing, chewing, speech, taste and salivation, and the low laser power an appropriate tool in the management of oral mucositis.