Effect of Light Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AbstractContextLight therapy is a non-pharmacological therapy that is currently being studied in cancer-related symptoms and is certificated as a low-risk intervention by FDA. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common symptom reported by cancer patients. ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness o...

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Published in:Journal of pain and symptom management 2022-02, Vol.63 (2), p.e188-e202
Main Authors: Xiao, Panpan, BSc, Ding, Siqing, BSc, Duan, Yinglong, MS, Li, Lijun, BSc, Zhou, Yi, BSc, Luo, Xiaofei, BSc, Xie, Jianfei, PhD, Cheng, Andy SK, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anesthesia
Bias
Breast cancer
Cancer
cancer-related fatigue
Clinical research
Clinical trials
Fatigue
Fatigue - complications
Fatigue - therapy
Humans
Intervention
Light
Light therapy
Light treatment
Mental depression
Meta-analysis
Myeloma
Neoplasms - complications
Neoplasms - therapy
Pain Medicine
Phototherapy
Quality of Life
Sleep
Sleep disorders
Systematic review
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Summary:AbstractContextLight therapy is a non-pharmacological therapy that is currently being studied in cancer-related symptoms and is certificated as a low-risk intervention by FDA. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common symptom reported by cancer patients. ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of light therapy for CRF in cancer patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of four electronic databases targeted randomized clinical trials evaluating light therapy for CRF (CRD42020215446), from inception to May 2021. The primary outcome was changes of CRF scores; secondary outcomes included depression, sleep, and quality of life (QoL). We quantitatively pooled outcomes using meta-analysis with random-effects models and assessed methodological bias. ResultsWe identified thirteen RCTs representing 551 cancer patients, encompassing breast ( n = 5), ovarian or endometrial ( n = 1), multiple myeloma ( n = 1), lung ( n = 1), or combined ( n = 5) cancers. The comparison groups included dim light ( n = 12) and waiting list ( n = 1). Duration of intervention ranged from 1 to 12 weeks. Light intensities ranged from 417.9 to 12,000 lux. Light therapy was associated with a significant improvement in CRF (SMD = 0.45, P = 0.007), depression (SMD = -0.26, P = 0.03) and sleep difficulty (SMD = -2.46, P = 0.0006); a statistically non-significant trend was observed for QoL (SMD = 0.33, P = 0.09). Funnel plots for CRF suggest not significant publication bias. ConclusionLight therapy could be a feasible and effective option for improving CRF in cancer patients. Larger sample, rigor trials design and a standard protocol of intervention are needed to draw more conclusive conclusions.
ISSN:0885-3924
1873-6513
DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.010