Photobiomodulation Irradiation Protocols for Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Protocol-Level Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
Across 18 randomized trials, PBM was associated with less burning-mouth pain and better oral-health-related quality of life. Results varied substantially for pain, and the review could not identify one best treatment protocol.
Ok SM, Lee M.
Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery · Publication date: 2026-09-21
Added to site: 2026-09-21
DOI: 10.1177/25785478261484370
Electronic publication date verified in Europe PMC.
- Modalities
- Photobiomodulation, Low-level laser therapy
- Clinical focus
- Burning mouth syndrome, Pain, Oral health quality of life
- Population
- People with burning mouth syndrome enrolled in randomized PBM or low-level-laser trials
- Sample
- 18 randomized trials; total participant count was not reported in the accessible abstract
- Intervention / method
- Meta-analysis of PBM or low-level-laser effects with exploratory subgroups for irradiation parameters
- Comparator
- Randomized trial control conditions; comparator details varied and were not provided in the abstract
Clinician summary
Pooled pain improved by a mean 1.09 points with high heterogeneity (I² = 89%), and OHIP-14 improved by 3.82 points with I² = 41%. Xerostomia and depression were not significantly improved, anxiety showed a modest reduction, and protocol subgroup signals were exploratory.
How to interpret the findings
The abstract did not report the total denominator, risk-of-bias results, comparator composition, pain scale harmonization, adverse events or evidence certainty. High pain heterogeneity and exploratory protocol analyses prevent a validated optimal wavelength, dose or schedule.
Equipment and disclosures
PBM or low-level-laser wavelengths, power, fluence, timing, frequency, duration and application modes varied across the included trials and were not itemized in the accessible abstract.
Funding and competing-interest details were not available in the checked indexed record.
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Summary prepared with AI assistance. Source verification does not imply an independent replication or a clinician's endorsement. Read our review method.