The efficiency of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is generally characterized by oral mucosa burning in the absence of any medical and dental reasons. The findings of previous studies or reviews are generally ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the findings of previous studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for pain as evaluated by Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). VAS is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of PubMed/MEDLINE/ScienceDirect and Embase up to 2020.

Results: By following the criteria of exclusion and inclusion, the papers were examined and divided into two categories, one based on BMS and the other that used alpha-lipoic acid to treat BMS. The reviewed results were compared in terms of methodology, size of sample, outcomes, and results.

Conclusions: Some studies showed positive results of using ALA to treat the BMS, but these findings need more improvements, and more investigations are required.