Low frequency magnetic field therapy in patients with cytostatic-induced polyneuropathy: a phase II pilot study

Cytostatic-induced polyneuropathy (CIPN) is a common and serious toxicity in tumor patients. Treatment and prophylactic measures are mainly ineffective. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish a sufficient therapy for pPNP. Between July 2007 and August 2008, 20 patients were treated with low frequency (4-12 Hz) magnetic field therapy (MFT), and neurological examinations were conducted at the trial therapy's beginning, as well as after 3-4 weeks. Standardized testing methods were applied, i.e., the Common Toxicity Criteria questionnaire of the National Cancer Institute and the measurement of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the electrophysiological examination. In terms of the components sensory ataxia and neuropathy as well as neuropathic pain, an improvement was achieved using MFT. This effect was confirmed by an increase in NCV. Using low frequency MFT, CIPN was influenced positively on both hands and feet. This could represent a future therapy principle for these patients.