Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients (DERMISHEAD trial)

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Materials and methods: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare. The severity of skin reactions was assessed by the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 (NCI-CTCAE v4.03) and the Radiotherapy-Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale (RISRAS). Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the Skindex-16 questionnaire.