Efficacy of adjuvant photobiomodulation therapy in recurrent herpes labialis, a randomized clinical trial study

This study aimed to determine the effect of Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (RHL), one of the most common herpes simplex virus type 1 infections.

In this randomized double blind controlled trial, Twenty-two symptomatic patients with RHL were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated into one group (5 % acyclovir cream with 940±10 nm wavelength and 4 J/cm² energy density and 100 mW output power) and another group (5 % Acyclovir 5 times/5 days and sham laser). Lesion size, and pain intensity were considered as the outcome at baseline, 1st 2nd and 3rd days postoperatively.

Pain intensity in PBM + Acyclovir group was significantly lower than Acyclovir without PBM group in both two and three days after intervention (p < 0.001). The lesion size in case group was significantly lower on 7 and 10 days (p < 0.05). Patients in the treatment group were significantly more satisfied with their treatment process (p = 0.008).

PBMT can be used as an adjuvant tool to acyclovir cream, due to higher potential in reducing postoperative pain, lesion size and also patients satisfaction.