Breast Cancer and Chemobrain : Effects of Photobiomodulation on the Improvement of Perceived Cognitive Impairment

Launched by CENTRE HOSPITALIER DE VALENCIENNES · May 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a treatment called photobiomodulation (PBM) on women who have completed chemotherapy for breast cancer and are experiencing cognitive difficulties, often referred to as "chemobrain." Chemobrain can make it hard for survivors to think clearly and remember things, which can be frustrating and concerning. The trial aims to see if PBM, which uses specific red and infrared light to stimulate brain activity, can help improve these cognitive issues.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be women aged 18 and older who finished chemotherapy for breast cancer less than a year ago and have noticed problems with their thinking or memory since then. Participants should also be able to understand and complete study questionnaires in French and be willing to follow the study's procedures. Those with prior cognitive disorders or certain other health issues may not be eligible. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive sessions of PBM therapy and participate in assessments to track any changes in your cognitive abilities. This trial is not yet recruiting, but it aims to provide valuable insights into a potential new way to help breast cancer survivors manage cognitive side effects from treatment.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women aged 18 and over
• • Having completed chemotherapy (intravenous) for breast cancer (any stage) less than 12 months prior to inclusion
• • Having a perceived cognitive complaint that appeared during or after (\< 3 months) chemotherapy treatments (no restriction on the care protocol used) and confirmed by a FACT-Cog score compatible with a subjective cognitive disorder (score \< 117 for patients aged 18 to 49; score \< 113 for patients aged 50 to 69; score \<105 for patients aged 70 and over)
• • Patient eligible for photobiomodulation sessions
• • Patient with sufficient command of the French language to complete the study questionnaries
• • Patient having given written consent to participate in the trial
• • Socially insured patient
• • Patient willing to comply with all study procedures and duration
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Known cognitive disorders prior to chemotherapy treatment
• • Patients with psychiatric or psychobehavioral disorders incompatible with photobiomodulation sessions
• • Patients who, in the 12 months prior to inclusion or at the time of inclusion, have already received photobiomodulation treatment involving "whole body" therapy (photobiomodulation in a phototherapy booth).
• • Patient having previously received photobiomodulation with cortical stimulation (panel or helmet) with no time limit.
• • Patient taking or having received capecitabine
• • Patients taking part in a protocol involving a drug likely to affect cognitive performance (on the investigator's advice).
• • Patients suffering from claustrophobia
• • Patient unable to read and/or unable to complete a questionnaire, in the opinion of the investigator