Characteristics of included studies
| Study | Study design | Sample characteristics |
Intervention and form | Application protocol. | Control | Measurement scale | Outcome | Adverse effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricken et al.24 (2021) | Interventional study | 18 patients aged 30-69 years were recruited for application of capsaicin in a burning mouth region. Duration: 90 days |
0.025% capsaicin gel applied to the affected area. Application protocol: thrice daily for one month, twice daily every alternate day for the second month, once daily for three days per week |
Application protocol: thrice daily in gel form for one month, twice daily every alternate day for the second month, once daily for three days a week | No control | Subjective pain scores and quality of life using the OHIP-14 scale | Topical application of capsaicin is effective in reducing the intensity of burning sensation. | 7 patients (38%) reported xerostomia. 2 patients reported erythema on the lip and jugal mucosa. |
| Jørgensen and Pedersen23 (2017) | Interventional study, randomized double-blind crossover study | 22 female patients aged 34-70 years were recruited, of which 18 completed the study, crossover design application of capsaicin in the burning region. | 0.025% and 0.01% capsaicin gels were applied on the dorsal part of the tongue. | Capsaicin gel was applied three times a day for 14 days followed by a 14-day washout period. For the next 14 days, the other concentration was applied. | No control | Subjective pain scores using VAS | There was a significant decrease in both the capsaicin groups (0.01% and 0.025%) and the VAS score in comparison to baseline. The VAS score at baseline was 5.5±0.6, and there was a decrease of VAS by 1.4±0.4. VAS scores increased in the wash out period. There was no significant difference in either of the concentration groups. |
4 patients reporting minor side effects were deferred from treatment. Side effects were mostly related to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, itching, and sore throat. All side effects were reversible. |
| Silvestre et al.25 (2012) | Interventional study, randomized double-blind crossover study | 30 patients were recruited for the study including 23 individuals aged 40-90 years. Crossover design |
0.02% capsaicin rinse for 7 days | The total duration was three weeks. Mouthwash administered thrice daily for one week, followed by a one-week washout period and then subjection to the control placebo mouthwash. |
Placebo rinse | Subjective pain scores using VAS | There was a significant decrease in the VAS score in the capsaicin group. | 7 dropouts Side effects ranged from intense burning sensation in 30% of subjects ranging up to 30 minutes after application of the rinse. |
| Jankovskis and Selga22 (2021) | Interventional study | 89 patients, of which 20 were allocated to the capsaicin mouthwash group. | 0.02% capsaicin rinse | The total duration of therapy was three weeks. The patient was subjected to capsaicin mouth rinse three times a day for three weeks. | Zinc and vitamin B12 supplementation | Subjective pain scores using VAS | Capsaicin mouth rinse in conjunction with B12 and zinc supplementation is effective in reducing VAS scores related to burning mouth syndrome. | - |
(OHIP-14: Oral Health Impact Profile-14, VAS: visual analog scale)