Photobiomodulation on postural control and gait speed in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of photobiomodulation (PBM) on postural control and gait speed in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: Prospective clinical study with 47 cancer patients undergoing treatment with platinum or taxane chemotherapy drugs and diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy of the lower limbs (LL). Patients received PBM with LED, 630 nm / 850 nm, in the lumbosacral nerve pathway for four sessions. Postural stability was assessed with the BIOMEC400 force platform, to record the amplitude and speed of displacement of the center of pressure. Power and ground reaction force were assessed using the following variables with the participant during the vertical jump: mass, jump duration, flight duration, jump speed, maximum jump force, and maximum jump power. To assess the impact of the changes studied on gait, the 10-meter walk test was performed. Results: There was a significant improvement in the mediolateral amplitude (P=0.0250), jump duration (P=0.0001), flight duration (P=0.0064), jump speed (P=0.0443), and maximum force during the jump (P=0.0002). There was no significant improvement in maximum jump power (P=0.7637), anteroposterior amplitude (P=0.4636), anteroposterior velocity (P=0.2769), mediolateral velocity (P=0.1764), and area (P=0.1215). However, the changes found with the use of PBM were sufficient to have a clinical impact on ambulation, with a significant improvement in gait speed (p=0.0315). Conclusion: PBM proved to be a promising and low-cost resource for improving postural control and gait speed in patients with CIPN.