Effectiveness of the Association Between ILIB and Photobiomodulation in Oral Mucositis Among Oncology Patients: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent and debilitating adverse effects of antineoplastic therapy, significantly impairing treatment adherence and patients' quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood (ILIB), applied alone or combined with low-level laser therapy, in reducing oral mucositis and improving the quality of life of oncology patients. METHODS: This quasi-experimental prospective study with parallel groups was conducted between 2023 and 2024 at the Memorial Hospital of Arcoverde (PE), involving 76 patients equally allocated into four groups (n = 19): ILIB alone (A and C) and ILIB combined with laser therapy (B and D), applied therapeutically or preventively over weeks. Oral mucositis grade (WHO scale) and quality of life (OHIP-14) were assessed before and after the interventions. RESULTS: No baseline differences were observed between groups (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the combined therapy groups showed greater reductions in mucositis (B: -1.60; -55.2% and D: -1.70; -60.7%) compared with ILIB alone (A: -0.70; -25.0% and C: -0.70; -25.9%) (p < 0.05). Improvements in quality of life were also more pronounced in the combined groups (B: -9.00; -31.0% and D: -10.40; -36.0%) compared with ILIB alone (A: -4.50; -15.8% and C: -4.30; -15.5%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ILIB + laser therapy association was more effective than ILIB alone in reducing oral mucositis and improving quality of life, both in prevention and treatment contexts.