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

Journal of pain and symptom management
February 1, 2022
Panpan Xiao et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

To examine the effectiveness of light therapy for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results Summary

Light therapy significantly improved CRF, depression, and sleep difficulty, with a non-significant trend for quality of life. The intervention showed consistent benefits across multiple cancer types.

Population

Cancer patients (breast, ovarian, endometrial, multiple myeloma, lung, or combined cancers)

Effective Dosage

Light intensities ranged from 417.9 to 12,000 lux (specific dosage not quantified)

Duration

1 to 12 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
light therapy
decrease
CRF
cancer patients
SMD = 0.45, P = 0.007
was associated with a significant improvement in
#1
light therapy
decrease
depression
cancer patients
SMD = -0.26, P = 0.03
was associated with a significant improvement in
#2
light therapy
decrease
sleep difficulty
cancer patients
SMD = -2.46, P = 0.0006
was associated with a significant improvement in
#3
light therapy
no change
QoL
cancer patients
SMD = 0.33, P = 0.09
a statistically non-significant trend was observed for
#4
Abstract

CONTEXT: Light 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. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of light therapy for CRF in cancer patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We 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. RESULTS: We 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. CONCLUSION: Light 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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
FatigueHumansNeoplasmsPhototherapyQuality of LifeSleep
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations18
Citations/Year6.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.14
NIH Percentile76.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.76
Normalized Score0.66
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Effect of Light Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systema... | Panacea Index