High Tone Therapy for Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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High Tone Therapy for Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy

Conditions
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Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Electrical Stimulation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: HiTop


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: HiTop<br> | Other: HiTop<br>* High tone transcutaneous electrical stimulation<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham stimulation<br> | Other: HiTop<br>* High tone transcutaneous electrical stimulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intensity of paresthesia | NRS scale | 5 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| health related Quality of life (QOL), detailed symptroms of neuropathy | EORTC C30, CIPN 20, Neuropathy symptom scale (NSS), NRS scales | 5 weeks |