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Impact of low-level light therapy on pain and lesion severity in oral lichen planus

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Created On: 18/06/2025

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic condition causing pain, burning sensation, and poor quality of life.

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Key take away

Low-level light therapy significantly improves long-term pain relief, clinical severity of lesions, and reduces relapse rates in oral lichen planus patients.

Background

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic condition causing pain, burning sensation, and poor quality of life. Even though low-level light therapy (LLLT) has been explored as a treatment, its efficacy remains debated. This study explored LLLT's impact on OLP symptoms.

Method

A comprehensive search was executed across Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library databases. Systematic review of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted, with 7 studies included in the meta-analysis. Pain, lesion severity, and recurrence rates were the primary outcomes. Using statistical software, data were examined to estimate effect sizes and publication bias.

Result

LLLT demonstrated a notable enhancement in long-term pain relief, as evidenced by a significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) scores beyond 12 weeks post-treatment (mean difference [MD] = -1.20, P < .001). In contrast, no meaningful improvements were detected during the short-term (MD = -0.68, P = .05) or medium-term follow-up periods (MD = -0.89, P = .10).

LLLT also led to a measurable drop in lesion severity, as indicated by biopsy sign scores or reticular atrophic erosive scores (MD = -1.13, P < .001), and was associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate (log RR = -1.34, P = .01). However, the therapy did not produce a statistically significant difference in overall clinical response rates (log RR = -0.12, P = .35). Importantly, no LLLT-related adverse effects were witnessed.