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NCT Number: NCT06837480

Photobiomodulation in Head and Neck Cancer-Related Chronic Lymphedema

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) as a treatment for breast cancer-related arm lymphedema (BCRL) in 2006. The investigators conducted two pilot clinical trials. Results demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of PBMT for the treatment of chronic lymphedema in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. The objective of this study is to further investigate and confirm the positive effects of PBMT on HNC-related chronic lymphedema.

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Key information

Conditions

Head and Neck Cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms Lymphedema of the Head and Neck Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

>18 years of age Biopsy proven head and neck cancer No evidence of cancer at the time of study enrollment, between 12- and 60-month post-cancer treatment Chronic lymphedema (defined as lymphedema persisting for a minimum of 6 months) A minimum of 2 sites of external lymphedema At least 1 site with lymphedema of moderate severity as assessed using the HN-LEF Assessment Criteria Failed lymphedema therapy (defined as any of the following: incomplete response to therapy, progression of lymphedema after therapy, inability to perform effective self-care resulting in fluid re-accumulation; and inability to complete treatment due to systems barriers). In addition, patients must be able to understand English in order to complete questionnaires; and to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Patients will be excluded if they have any of the following medical conditions that would prohibit the safe implementation of PBMT:

Women of childbearing age and potential Acute cellulitis within the soft tissues in the head and neck region Chronic inflammatory diseases Venous thrombosis Carotid artery stenosis Requiring ongoing use of diuretics and corticosteroids Pre-existing skin rash, ulceration, open wound in the treatment area Active lymphedema or physical therapy (including hyperbaric oxygen or trental) Allergic and other systemic skin diseases

Treatment and study plan

LTU-904 Portable Laser Therapy Unit (active laser device)

Device

The RianCorp LTU-904 laser therapy unit (active laser device) will be used for photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).

LTU-904 Portable Laser Therapy Unit (sham/inactive laser device)

Device

The RianCorp LTU-904 laser therapy (sham/inactive laser device) unit will be used for sham therapy.

Primary outcomes

  1. Total Severity of External Lymphedema

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Head and Neck Lymphedema and Fibrosis Assessment Criteria.

    External lymphedema is measured by HN-LEF Assessment Criteria. The total external lymphedema severity score is calculated by summing the severity score of each site (total 9 sites, severity score ranging from 0-27). For each site, the severity of LEF includes no lymphedema (=0), mild (=1), moderate (=2), and severe (=3).

    Change in total severity of external lymphedema from baseline to 12-month post-intervention visits. A larger reduction in this score means more reduction in the severity of external lymphedema.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total Severity of Internal Lymphedema

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 12-month post-intervention

    Modified Patterson Scale

    Endoscopic exams were performed by a trained oncology provider. Internal lymphedema was scored using the Modified Patterson Scale, which documents internal swelling in the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Four grades are used to rate edema level (normal = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, and severe = 3) for each anatomical structure. Sites are marked "N/A" when they are unable to be evaluated. The scale has good intra-rater reliability (weighted kappa, 0.84) and moderate inter-rater reliability (weighted kappa, 0.54).

    Change in total severity of external lymphedema from baseline to 12-month post-intervention visits. A larger reduction in this score means more reduction in the severity of external lymphedema.

  2. Symptom Burden Score

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Head and Neck Lymphedema and Fibrosis Symptom Inventory

    Symptom burden is assessed by Head and Neck Lymphedema and Fibrosis Symptom Inventory (HN-LEF SI). Higher scores (score ranging from 0-5) indicate increased symptom burden.

    Change in symptom burden score from baseline to 12-month post-intervention. A larger reduction in this score means decreased symptom burden.

  3. Jaw Range of Motion Degree

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Jaw Range of Motion Scale

    Jaw Range of Motion Scale is a validated scale with a ruler in millimeters to measure mouth opening.

    Change in jaw range of motion degree from baseline to 12-month post-intervention. A larger increase in this degree means better outcome with increased jaw range of motion.

  4. Neck Range of Motion Degree

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Cervical Range of Motion Scale

    Cervical Range of Motion Device, a valid and reliable tool, will be used to measure the amount of neck movement (degrees) for the following neck movements: forward flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation.

    Change in neck range of motion degree from baseline to 12-month post-intervention. A larger change in this degree means better outcome with increased neck range of motion.

  5. Shoulder Range of Motion Degree

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Goniometry

    Goniometry is a validated and reliable tool for measuring shoulder range of motion.

    Change in shoulder range of motion degree from baseline to 12-month post-intervention. A larger change in this degree means better outcome with increased shoulder range of motion.

  6. Quality of Life Score

    Time frame: Pre-intervention, after 12 sessions, after 18 sessions (end-of-intervention), 3-, 6-, 9-and 12-month post-intervention

    Quality of Life Scale (Linear Analog Self-Assessment, LASA)

    Quality of Life Scale (Linear Analog Self-Assessment, LASA) has been extensively used in cancer (e.g., HNC) patients. The scale has shown good reliability (alpha=.83-.88) and good concurrent/construct validity. It covers four major components of QOL (i.e., physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual).

    Change in quality of life score from baseline to 12-month post-intervention. A larger increase in this score means better quality of life.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jie Deng, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

2155732393

Sarah Latimore, MS

CONTACT

2155732393

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Official study title

Placebo-Controlled Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors With Chronic Lymphedema

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Feb 20, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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