Photobiomodulation in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Background and aims: Cancer treatment is often accompanied by incapacitating side effects, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN limits the patients' quality of life and current therapeutic options lack effectiveness. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy uses (near)-infrared light to activate cell repair mechanisms and reduce pain and inflammation. Research has shown the efficiency of PBM in preventing CIPN. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PBM in treating CIPN while assessing the optimal PBM dosage. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, Belgium). Sixty cancer patients, diagnosed with CIPN, were randomly allocated to the PBM-1 group (6 J/cm², n=28) or PBM-2 group (8 J/cm², n=32) and received PBM twice a week for three weeks. The severity of CIPN and the patients' mobility were assessed using the modified Total Neuropathy Score (mTNS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT), respectively. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, the end of PBM, and three weeks post-PBM. Results: The mTNS decreased significantly over time in both the PBM-1 and PBM-2 group (P=0.021 and P=0.007, respectively). Moreover, the mTNS remained constant between the end of PBM and the follow-up visit in both groups (Figure 1). Similarly, according to the 6MWT (Figure 2), the patients' mobility significantly improved over time in the PBM-1 and PBM-2 group (Ps≤0.001).