Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

 Number of patients

24

60

94

 Mean age (years)

60.4

51.5

61.0

 Dropout

0 (0.0%)

4 (6.7%)

32 (34.0%)

 Sex (Male/Female)

14/10

59/1

77/17

 Site of cancer

Oral cavity

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck cancer, primary tumor

 T1–2 Nany

 T3–4 Nany

14

8^a

unclear

58

36

 Type of radiation

Definitive and preoperative

Definitive and post-operative

Definitive or post-operative

 Combination with chemotherapy

Weekly docetaxel (10 mg/m²)

Weekly CDDP (40 mg/ m²) or Tri-weekly CDDP (100 mg/ m²)

Tri-weekly CDDP (80-100 mg/ m²)

Radiation technique

Conventional

2 Gy/fraction

≥40 Gy irradiation (total)

3D-CRT or IMRT

2 Gy/fraction in 6–7 weeks

Total 60–70 Gy

3D-CRT or IMRT

≤2.2 Gy/fraction

≥60 Gy

 Type of mouthwash

Gargle

Gargle

Liquid, rinse and swallow

 Regimens of rebamipid

0.1% concentration

6 times daily

0.1% concentration

6 times daily

2 and 4% concentration 6 times daily

 Control

Placebo

Placebo gargle

Placebo liquid

 Timing of outcomes

At 4 weeks

At the end of chemoradiotherapy

At 57 days