Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Electrical Stimulation
Conditions
Brief summary
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a side effect of antineoplastic medication, was reported to occur in about 68% of the patients receiving chemotherapy. CIPN does not only limit quality of life due to neuropathic symptoms but also may lead to dose reductions or premature interruption of therapy and thus to suboptimal cancer treatment. Patients with neuropathy suffer from sensory disturbances as tingling, numbness, burning pain or sleep disturbances and even though numerous drugs are available, it is still difficult to sufficiently control these Symptoms. High tone therapy / high tone external muscle stimulation (HTEMS) seems to be an effective treatment for neuropathic symptoms. Previous studies observed promising results in diabetics and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. To date, there is no investigation on HTEMS in patients with chemotherapy induced neuropathy. Therefore, this aim of this project is to test if HTEMS would bring about a stronger decrease in neuropathic symptoms in this specific patient group, compared to a placebo treatment. The primary objective is the alleviation of paresthesias. The secondary objective focuses on detailed symptoms of neuropathiy as well as on health-related quality of life.
Interventions
OTHERHiTop
High tone transcutaneous electrical stimulation
Sponsors
Vienna Hospital Association
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with histologically verified colorectal cancer and adjuvant treatment with a platin derivate (e.g., cisplatin, oxaliplatin): This group was chosen due to relatively high risk of neuropathy due to this special therapeutic agent 1,9. * Cumulative dose of at least 3 cycles * Interval of 2 weeks since the last chemotherapeutic cycle in order to prevent false worsenings due to delayed neurotoxic effects * Life expectancy of at least 3 months * Stable medication (no changes of especially pain medication during the study) * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status score of 0-2 (that is, the capability to walk and to spend less than 50% of waking hours sitting or lying) * Ability to walk (with or without aids) * European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) common toxicity criteria (CTC) peripheral sensory neuropathy grade 1 or 2 * Intensity of paresthesias of 3/10 or higher on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Exclusion criteria
* Prevalent neuropathy of different etiology * Serious central-neurological or psychiatric disorder that would interfer with a proper order of the study, according to the judgement of the investigators * Epilepsy * Minors or persons unable to give informed consent * Current neurotoxic medication * Implanted pacemakers or defibrillators * Pregnancy * Wounds in the area to be treated, acute local or systemic infection * Peripheral arterial occlusive disease \> grade 2
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity of paresthesia | 5 weeks | NRS scale |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| health related Quality of life (QOL), detailed symptroms of neuropathy | 5 weeks | EORTC C30, CIPN 20, Neuropathy symptom scale (NSS), NRS scales |
Countries
Austria
Outcome results
None listed