The Use of Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Oral Complaints of Long COVID-19.A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Summary

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a newly emerging zoonotic agent that emerged in December 2019 in China (2019-nCoV) as a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV -2). Long COVID-19, or Post-Covid Syndrome or Long-term COVID-19, is a post-viral syndrome that persists after the acute infection has resolved. The most frequent symptoms of Lonf-term COVID are fatigue and dyspnea. But two classes of symptoms have been received scientific attention: the musculoskeletal pain and oral complaints related to Long COVID, mainly xerostomia and burning mouth. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is often used for oral diseases and presents itself as a non-invasive, low-cost, safe therapy that has benefits in relation to the quality of life of patients with xerostomia. This study aims to investigate the clinical effectiveness of the use of a Photobiomodulation protocol in the treatment xerostomia and oral complaints related to Long-Covid. This will be a single-center, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial that will involve patients with Long COVID in follow-up at the Medical and Multiprofessional outpatient clinic of University Nove de Julho (UNINOVE) which remained hospitalized with COVID-19 at Lydia Storópoli Universitarian Hospital during the year 2022 and who were discharged from the inpatient treatment from January to December 2022. All those patients presenting xerostomia, burning mouth or oral complaints related to Long Covid will be randomized into 2 groups: PBM Group (standard rehabilitation treatment for Long COVID and xerostomia + PBM therapy) or PBM placebo group (standard rehabilitation treatment for Long COVID and xerostomia + placebo PBM therapy). PBM consists of the application of Red LED on the 3 pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual) extraorally, transcutaneously, 3 J/cm2, for 36 seconds, twice a week for 06 weeks. Functional and quality of life evaluations will be perform pre and post therapy period.

Conditions

• Xerostomia
• COVID-19
• Long COVID
• Persistent COVID-19

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Institutional standard treatment for xerostomia and Long Covid

(Medical follow-up at the general outpatient clinic for prescription and control of medications, underlying diseases, clinical status and routine short, medium and long-term care follow-up, standard guidelines for the use of aerobic physical activity in those who do not have contraindications, stretching exercises, ergonomics, home adaptation to maximize functionality and energy savings, emotional cognitive support psychotherapy, socio-educational measures, sleep hygiene, Nutritional follow-up and monitoring, dentistry follow-up at the University's odontological team, guidance on proper oral hygiene, use of low-sugar diets, daily topical use of fluoride and antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent dental caries, oral hydration, guidance on avoiding cigarette use or intake of caffeine-containing beverages . When necessary, measures such as oral lubricants, artificial saliva, measures to prevent aspirations, as well as the careful use of liquids during meals, can be instituted ) +

RADIATION

Photobiomodulation Therapy

Application of Red LED in the 3 pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual) extraorally, transcutaneously, for 36 seconds, twice a week for 06 weeks.

RADIATION

Placebo Photobiomodulation Therapy

All parameters as the number of points, dose and place of application of the PBM will be the same as described in the item PBM therapy Intervention Group, however in the placebo PBM equipment will be turned off. The device activation noise will be recorded and used to mimic the irradiation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Nove de Julho

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rebeca B Cecatto, M.D., Ph.D. · University of Nove de Julho

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-03-01

Primary Completion

2024-02-01

Completion

2024-03-08

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations