What do systematic reviews say?

Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs clobetasol cream 0.05% cream

Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% showed no clear difference in pain reduction (VAS) compared with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05%; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.26 [-1.42, 0.90]
  1 study · 30 participants
  GRADE not reported

1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)

1% pimecrolimus cream showed no clear difference in pain reduction (VAS) compared with placebo (vehicle cream); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -3.30 [-20.22, 13.62]
  2 studies · 32 participants
  GRADE not reported

Topical clobetasol propionate vs Topical tacrolimus

Topical clobetasol propionate showed no clear difference in pain (mean VAS score) compared with topical tacrolimus; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes

  end of treatment
  MD 0.08 [-0.33, 0.49]
  1 study · 68 participants
  GRADE not reported

Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs Topical ciclosporin

Topical triamcinolone acetonide showed no clear difference in pain (mean VAS score) compared with topical ciclosporin; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes

  end of treatment
  MD -0.23 [-1.02, 0.56]
  1 study · 139 participants
  GRADE not reported

Topical triamcinolone acetonide vs pimecrolimus 1%

Topical triamcinolone acetonide showed no clear difference in pain (mean VAS score) compared with topical pimecrolimus; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral lichen planus: corticosteroid therapies 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes

  end of treatment
  MD -0.05 [-2.97, 2.87]
  2 studies · 70 participants
  GRADE not reported

Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs placebo

Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) showed no clear difference in mean VAS pain per day compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

• Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes

  90 days
  MD -5.00 [-11.93, 1.93]
  1 study · 50 participants
  GRADE not reported

Tacrolimus 0.1% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment

Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment showed no clear difference in pain reduction (VAS 0-10) compared with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.64 [-1.91, 0.63]
  1 study · 29 participants
  GRADE not reported

Clobetasol propionate ointment vs 5% topical mesalazine gel in adhesive base

Clobetasol propionate ointment 0.05% showed no clear difference in pain reduction (VAS 0-10) compared with 5% topical mesalazine gel in adhesive base; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.83 [-4.12, 2.46]
  1 study · 12 participants
  GRADE not reported

0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs ciclosporin

0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase led to higher pain reduction (VAS 0-100) compared with ciclosporin solution; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 45.17 [8.73, 81.61]
  1 study · 11 participants
  GRADE not reported

Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  In the Hegarty 2002 cross-over trial (n=22), no statistical testing of the pain score (VAS 0 to 100) was reported; it is not clear whether the difference is statistically significant (fluticasone mean score 19.8 versus…
  1 study · 22 participants
  GRADE not reported

Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Clobetasol propionate 0.025% ointment

Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres led to lower pain reduction (VAS 0-100) compared with conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic…; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites 2012 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -18.30 [-28.57, -8.03]
  1 study · 45 participants
  GRADE not reported

Hypnosis vs control (e.g. usual activities)

Hypnosis showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with control (treatment as usual); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -10.50 [-36.05, 15.05]
  1 study · 22 participants
  GRADE not reported

Diclofenac vs placebo

Diclofenac showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.30 [-0.86, 0.26]
  1 study · 66 participants
  GRADE not reported

Relaxation and imagery training vs control (e.g. usual activities)

Relaxation and imagery training showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with control (treatment as usual); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -8.22 [-21.79, 5.35]
  1 study · 46 participants
  GRADE not reported

Phenytoin mouthrinse vs placebo

Phenytoin mouthrinse showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with placebo; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -1.70 [-3.85, 0.45]
  1 study · 12 participants
  GRADE not reported

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine vs Staff-controlled delivery of pethidine

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pethidine showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with staff-controlled delivery of pethidine; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -21.00 [-45.79, 3.79]
  1 study · 20 participants
  GRADE not reported

'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) vs Salt and soda mouthwash

'Magic' mouthwash (lidocaine, diphenhydramine, aluminium hydroxide) showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with salt and soda mouthwash; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -0.60 [-10.92, 9.72]
  1 study · 57 participants
  GRADE not reported

Sufentanil vs morphine

Sufentanil showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with morphine; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 5.40 [-3.10, 13.90]
  1 study · 60 participants
  GRADE not reported

Therapist support (visits) vs control (e.g. usual activities)

Therapist support (visits) showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with control (treatment as usual); GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -5.61 [-17.25, 6.02]
  2 studies · 69 participants
  GRADE not reported

Chlorhexidine mouthwash vs Salt and soda mouthwash

Chlorhexidine mouthwash showed no clear difference in average pain scores (0-100 VAS) compared with salt and soda mouthwash; GRADE not reported.

• Interventions for treating oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment 2010 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD -3.50 [-13.35, 6.35]
  1 study · 63 participants
  GRADE not reported