Usefulness of cyclic thermal therapy and red blood cell scintigraphy in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
10.3344/kjp.2021.34.4.427
- Author:
Minjoo KIM
1
;
Eun-Mi KIM
;
Phil-Sun OH
;
Seok Tae LIM
;
Myung-Hee SOHN
;
Eun-Kee SONG
;
Keon Uk PARK
;
Jin Young KIM
;
Kyoung Sook WON
;
Hwan-Jeong JEONG
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging & Therapeutic Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Biomedical Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
- Publication Type:Clinical Research Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2021;34(4):427-436
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies have been used to treat patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). However, the effect of therapies in cancer patients has yet to be investigated comprehensively. We hypothesized that cyclic thermal therapy would improve blood flow and microcirculation and improve the symptoms driven by CIPN.
Methods:The criteria of assessment were blood volume in region of interest (ROI) in the images, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer–Quality of Life Questionnaire–Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 questionnaire scores. The blood volume was quantified by using red blood cell (RBC) scintigraphy. All patients were treated 10 times during 10 days. The thermal stimulations, between 15° and 41°, were repeatedly delivered to the patient’s hands.
Results:The total score of the questionnaires, the score of questions related to the upper limbs, the score of questions closely related to the upper limbs, and the score excluding the upper limbs questions was decreased. The blood volume was decreased, and the variance of blood volume was decreased. During cooling stimulation, the blood volume was decreased, and its variance was decreased. During warming stimulation, the blood volume was decreased, and its variance was decreased.
Conclusions:We suggest that cyclic thermal therapy is useful to alleviate CIPN symptoms by blood circulation improvement. RBC scintigraphy can provide the quantitative information on blood volume under certain conditions such as stress, as well as rest, in peripheral tissue.
