Light therapy reduces symptoms of oral mucositis

Since May, light therapy has been a standard treatment at the Princess Máxima Center for children with oral mucositis, a common side effect of chemotherapy. This innovative therapy helps prevent severe symptoms, reduces pain, and speeds up the recovery of the oral mucosa in children undergoing chemotherapy.

Less pain, faster recovery

Oral mucositis is common in children receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, particularly during stem cell transplants and intensive chemotherapy. Chemotherapy damages the oral mucosa through the formation of oxygen radicals. This can lead to painful sores in the mouth, making it difficult for children to eat and speak.

From pilot project to standard care

Pediatric oncology nurse and nurse researcher Ida Ophorst first came across this treatment method through a literature review, which showed that light therapy had already been used successfully in adults and had also proven to be safe and effective in children with oral mucositis. Inspired by these results, and with support from Aeltsje Brinksma and Wim Tissing, she launched a pilot project in October 2025 together with a group of pain nurses and other nurses.

The results were promising: children’s oral tissue recovered more quickly and symptoms decreased.

‘Children ask for the treatment themselves when they return for a later visit. That says a lot about its effect,’ says Ophorst.

What is light therapy?

The treatment, known as Photo-Bio-Modulation (PBM), uses LED and infrared light to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. The therapy is child-friendly and takes only a few minutes. Children do not need to open their mouths very wide.

In practice: how the treatment works

The light therapy is delivered using equipment mounted on a mobile cart and is administered in the parent and child rooms. Children admitted for a chemotherapy regimen with a high risk of oral mucosal damage receive a daily treatment until the end of the chemotherapy course.

During treatment, both the child and the healthcare professional wear protective glasses because the light is bright.

There are two applications:

A ‘shower head’ with LED lights that is placed on the outside of the mouth, against the cheek.

A ‘lollipop’ with LED lights that is placed inside the mouth.

The nurse positions the shower head, which emits red light, on the child’s cheeks, mouth, and, if necessary, throat. The lollipop is placed under or on the tongue whenever possible. If opening the mouth is difficult, the lollipop is not used.

A treatment can provide immediate pain relief. Children use smiley faces to indicate how they are feeling at that moment, and the results are recorded in HiX.

When do we use it?

Preventive use

• During stem cell transplants.

• Within 24 hours after the start of chemotherapy and continuing until 20 days after treatment, or until symptoms have improved.

• During treatment regimens with a high risk of oral mucositis, such as those used for acute myeloid leukemia.

Curative use

For children admitted with oral mucositis. Treatment continues until symptoms have resolved.

Capacity and future developments

During the pilot project, which began in October 2025, approximately 75 children received treatment. There are currently two devices available for use on the inpatient units on care levels 2 and 3.

With the nurses in the working group, we can currently treat six to eight children per day. To increase this capacity, all nurses and clinical assistants are being trained using a train-the-trainer approach. They consider the therapy a valuable addition to their work. Future expansions, including additional devices for the Day treatment unit, are being considered.

The purchase of the equipment was made possible thanks to the support of donors to the Princess Máxima Center Foundation, including the Elise Mathilde Fonds and Kinderfonds Dusseldorp.