Light therapy app aims to ease dry mouth for cancer survivors

NCT ID NCT05106608

Symptom relief Sponsor: Universidad de Granada Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether a special light therapy (photobiomodulation) combined with a mobile health app can improve dry mouth and quality of life in people who have had head and neck cancer and completed radiation. Sixty participants will receive either real light therapy or a sham placebo, plus the app, over 3 months. Researchers will measure changes in dry mouth, swallowing, mouth opening, and overall well-being.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: photobiomodulation (light therapy) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to reduce dry mouth and improve quality of life for head and neck cancer survivors after radiation.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 60 people. The light therapy may not provide lasting relief, and results may not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 60 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jul 2022

Expected to finish

Jul 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Patients will be included in the study if they meet the following inclusion criteria: * men or women aged 18 years or older and were diagnosed with HNC. * chronic xerostomia. * received RT in the parotid, submandibular and/or sublingual salivary glands. * grade 3 oral dryness according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (CTCAE). * medical treatment completed and in complete remission. * received medical clearance for participation in this study. * at least one month passed since the end of RT to avoid the possible presence of oral mucositis and/or radiodermatitis, which limits adherence to treatment and maximum 36 months. * no history of drugs/devices/products (pilocarpine, cevimeline, amifostine, oral devices, humidifiers, or herbs) to prevent or treat xerostomia prior to study inclusion or no change in their use (no change in type or dose) for two months prior to study inclusion. * and able to access mobile applications or living with someone who has this ability. The exclusion criteria will be as follows: * patients with metastases. * a score \<60 on the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. * contraindications to receiving PBM therapy (e.g., cardiac arrhythmias, pacemakers, photosensitivity, drugs with photosensitizing action, and pregnancy). * other comorbidities such as diabetes and polypharmacy. * and retraction of the declaration of consent.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer head and neck neoplasm Head and Neck Neoplasms neoplasm Xerostomia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Head and neck cancer Head and neck neoplasms Xerostomia

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Light therapy app aims to ease dry mouth for cancer survivors

What the study statuses mean