Using light therapy to treat hand-foot syndrome caused by chemotherapy

Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Palmar-plantar Erythrodysesthesia: Clinical, Randomized, Controlled Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Nove de Julho · NCT05337423

This study is testing if light therapy can help reduce hand-foot syndrome caused by chemotherapy in people undergoing treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Nove de Julho Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsBevacizumab, chemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Montevideo and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05337423 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of photobiomodulation, a form of low-level light therapy, in reducing hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) induced by chemotherapy agents like Capecitabine and 5-Fluorouracil. The study involves a randomized, controlled, double-blind design with 40 participants divided into two groups: one receiving LED treatment alongside a moisturizer and the other receiving a sham treatment with the same moisturizer. Outcomes will be assessed based on the severity of hand-foot syndrome and quality of life measures before, during, and after the treatment period of four weeks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old with confirmed oncological conditions who are currently undergoing chemotherapy and experiencing moderate to severe hand-foot syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing skin conditions on the palms and soles, autoimmune diseases, or those requiring insulin for diabetes may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly alleviate the painful symptoms of hand-foot syndrome, improving the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using photobiomodulation is gaining interest, this specific application for hand-foot syndrome is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* over 18 years of age,
* hospitalized or outpatients,
* with oncological pathology (confirmed by anatomo-pathological or cytological diagnosis)
* undergoing chemotherapy treatment (oral capecitabine and 5-Fluorouracil in continuous infusion, following the treatment plans protocolized by the institution: Xelox Bevacizumab, Capecitabine, Capecitabine + Radiotherapy, Folfoxiri, Xeliri-Bevacizumab, Folfox4-Bevacizumab , Docetaxel-CDDP-5-Fluorouracil (Colony Stimulating Factors), mFolfirinox q/14 days, Flot.)
* who develop hand-foot syndrome of greater or equal toxicity to 1 on the CTC scale NCI v. 5.0 and on Saif scale. Et al. for dark skin

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with palmo-plantar skin comorbidities,
* autoimmune comorbidities,
* amputated limbs,
* systemic infection,
* localized or regional limb infection,
* respiratory isolation,
* contact isolation
* insulin-requiring diabetics.

Where this trial is running

Montevideo and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Erythrodysesthesia SyndromeHand-Food SyndromeLow-Level Light TherapyQuality of life
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.