Effects of cardiologic magnetic and optical stimulation on quality of life in patients receiving systemic treatment for cancer: a pilot study

Background: Oncological systemic treatments such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation therapy or treatment with biological response modifiers can alter the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of cardiologic magnetic and optical stimulation (CMOS) on QoL in patients with advanced cancer receiving systemic treatment. For this purpose, we designed a non-invasive device that can reproduce and dynamically modulate stimulations of the same nature as the biological electromagnetic emissions specific to the body (cardiac). These crafted emissions were sent back to the body in perfect synchronization with the Electrocardiogram (ECG) in order to foster resonance mechanisms. Methodology: In the phase pilot EPHEME, the experimental group received sessions of exposure to CMOS and control group without exposure to CMOS. This study was conducted on hospitalized patients suffering from anxiety and depression. The improvement of the global Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) score being the primary endpoint, was completed before and after 3 sessions of CMOS treatment over a period of 10 days. The secondary objective is to evaluate the quality of life, by using the EQ-5D questionnaire which covers mobility, autonomy, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Additionally, patient satisfaction was measured for the two groups. Results: The patient outcomes in the experimental group treated with CMOS demonstrated notable improvements. The variation in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scores before and after treatment showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001). Similarly, the quality of life, as measured by the EQ-5D questionnaire, exhibited significant enhancement (p = 0.004). Conversely, in the control group, no significant improvement in either anxiety and depression symptoms or quality of life. Throughout the study, sessions were well tolerated, and there were no reports of serious side effects in either group. Conclusions: The cardiologic magnetic and optical emissions provided by the CMOS device subjectively improved the quality of life in cancer patients receiving systemic treatment compared to those receiving sham stimulation. A prospective randomized study using a larger patient sample could bring more robust results. More research is needed to understand potential positives effects of low frequencies/heart-like electromagnetic waves in treatment of cancer-related fatigue.