Photobiomodulation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Jie Deng, John N Lukens, Samuel Swisher-McClure, Joy C Cohn, Bryan A Spinelli, Ryan J Quinn, Jesse Chittams, Erin McMenamin, Alexander Lin, Jie Deng, John N Lukens, Samuel Swisher-McClure, Joy C Cohn, Bryan A Spinelli, Ryan J Quinn, Jesse Chittams, Erin McMenamin, Alexander Lin

Abstract

Purpose: Lymphedema is a common debilitating late effect among patients post-head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Head and neck lymphedema was associated with symptom burden, functional impairment, and decreased quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of the use of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for head and neck lymphedema, symptom burden, and neck range of motion among HNC survivors.

Methods: This was a single-arm, pre- and post-design clinical trial. Eligible patients included those with lymphedema after completion of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and 3 to 18 months after completion of cancer therapy. The intervention included PBM therapy 2 times a week for 6 weeks for a total of 12 treatments. Lymphedema, symptom burden, and neck range of motion were measured at baseline, end-of-intervention, and 4-week post-intervention.

Results: Of the 12 patients enrolled in the study, 91.7% (n = 11) completed the study intervention and assessment visits, and no adverse events were reported. When comparing the baseline to 4-week post-intervention, we found statistically significant improvements in the severity of external lymphedema, symptom burden, and neck range of motion (all P < .05).

Conclusion: PBM therapy was feasible and potentially effective for the treatment of head and neck lymphedema. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to examine the efficacy of PBM therapy for HNC-related lymphedema.

Trial registration number and date of registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03738332; date of registration: November 13, 2018.

Keywords: fibrosis; head and neck cancer; lymphedema; photobiomodulation.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT flow diagram documenting the number of patients screened, consented, and withdrawn during the study assessment period.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Changes in number of anatomical sites with external lymphedema.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Changes in total severity of external lymphedema.

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Source: PubMed

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