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Background <p>Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a debilitating condition affecting millions, particularly those undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer or with Sjögren disease, leading to impaired quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promise as a non-medication treatment to stimulate salivary gland function.</p> Objective <p>This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PBM in improving salivary flow and reducing xerostomia symptoms in adults.</p> Methods <p>Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2000 to April 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. Inclusion criteria were RCTs comparing PBM to placebo or no treatment, with outcomes of salivary flow or xerostomia severity. Data were extracted on study characteristics, laser parameters, and outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool assessed study quality. Meta-analyses used a random-effects model, reporting mean differences (MD) for salivary flow and standardized mean differences (SMD) for xerostomia severity.</p> Results <p>Thirty RCTs (<i>n</i> = 1,250 patients) were included. PBM significantly increased unstimulated salivary flow (MD 0.22 mL/min, 95% CI: 0.12–0.32, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001; I² = 45%) and reduced xerostomia severity (SMD − 0.58, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.30, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001; I² = 50%). Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in radiotherapy-induced xerostomia. No serious adverse events were reported.</p> Conclusion <p>PBM is an effective and safe non-medication intervention for xerostomia, particularly in radiotherapy patients. Standardized protocols and long-term studies are needed.</p>

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Beneficial effects of photobiomodulation therapy on xerostomia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月4日

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  • Nahid Derikvand,
  • Seyed Amir Hossein Ghasemi,
  • Niusha Ebrahimi,
  • Hiva Ebrahimi

摘要

Background

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a debilitating condition affecting millions, particularly those undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer or with Sjögren disease, leading to impaired quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promise as a non-medication treatment to stimulate salivary gland function.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PBM in improving salivary flow and reducing xerostomia symptoms in adults.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2000 to April 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. Inclusion criteria were RCTs comparing PBM to placebo or no treatment, with outcomes of salivary flow or xerostomia severity. Data were extracted on study characteristics, laser parameters, and outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool assessed study quality. Meta-analyses used a random-effects model, reporting mean differences (MD) for salivary flow and standardized mean differences (SMD) for xerostomia severity.

Results

Thirty RCTs (n = 1,250 patients) were included. PBM significantly increased unstimulated salivary flow (MD 0.22 mL/min, 95% CI: 0.12–0.32, P < 0.001; I² = 45%) and reduced xerostomia severity (SMD − 0.58, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.30, P < 0.001; I² = 50%). Subgroup analyses showed stronger effects in radiotherapy-induced xerostomia. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

PBM is an effective and safe non-medication intervention for xerostomia, particularly in radiotherapy patients. Standardized protocols and long-term studies are needed.