Avoidance of air pollution by home-based high tone therapy in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

Home-based treatments are highly relevant for cancer patients due to their limited access to rehabilitation resources. Therefore, home-based treatments offer several advantages in the oncologic setting. In addition, there is potential to decrease the environmental footprints. No previous study has addressed the co-benefits of home-based electrotherapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the reductions in CO2, NOx and particulate emissions using home-based high tone therapy.

METHODS

This study was conducted at two supraregional clinics in Vienna, Austria. A total of 65 cancer patients treated for chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy via home-based high tone therapy over a period of 3 weeks were evaluated. Basic data as well as the distance from the patients' home to the respective clinic, means of transportation, and treatment adherence were analyzed. Based on this information, the total saved km and emissions of CO2, NOx and particulates were calculated.

RESULTS

All patients performed the treatment on at least 15 out of 21 days and 59 patients (91%) even daily. No adverse events were reported and 60% of the patients would have travelled by car and 40% would have used public transport. On average, 129 travel km were saved per patient per treatment week. This corresponds to a saving of 15 kg of CO2, 8 g of NOx and 0.4 g of particulates. Assuming an average of 1-3 treatments/week, 1341-4023 km would be saved annually per patient corresponding to a saving of 155-465 kg of CO2, 81-243 g of NOx and 4-13 g of particulates.

CONCLUSION

Home-based high tone therapy was highly accepted with a high number of treatment sessions among all patient groups. Additionally, strong reductions of emissions of CO2, NOx and particulates were demonstrated. It is shown that in Austria alone, home-based therapy could save as many emissions as 77 ha (190 acres) of forest can absorb. Therefore, the home-based treatment may be a promising approach to decrease our environmental footprint.