Studies have proven that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces the symptoms of oral mucositis, which are terribly painful mouth sores caused by the toxic effects of chemotherapy. However, unlike these previous studies, the researchers in this experiment wanted to assess if there was any improvement in the Quality of Life of patients receiving radiation and LLLT for head and neck cancer.
Sixty patients were studied and objective tests were performed to assess the patients Quality of Life during radiation treatment for cancer. Quality of Life was defined as a composite of many factors including pain, function of the head and mouth, anxiety, and physical appearance.
The results showed that there was a significant improvement in the Quality of Life of the patients who received LLLT. So, unlike our worries about LLLT negatively influencing the lives of cancer patients, these newer studies are showing POSITIVE effects. To date, these positive studies have all used cool lasers, not hot ones. At the present time, because research has documented that hot lasers can increase cancer activity, researchers are primarily using cool lasers.
Head Neck. 2011 Apr 5.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=rmualbcab&v=001cijNGvIyoo7OOSUVp9tzkXe8g-5hYkOpWTBE_v-bHUrvahVzmp-kjA2vx8YTmTmxZJPGyVly1qrIjEgkUWRxBnLuSYj9AV31Q7ypXi0ffH-aKIPsflvKnkfbBfv1LKim
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