Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40287913›Full record

ReviewClinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico2025

Implementing a low-dose radiation therapy program for musculoskeletal pain disorders: tips, tricks, and essentials for clinical researchers.

Beatriz Álvarez, Angel Montero, Jeannette Valero, Mercedes López, Raquel Ciérvide, Ovidio Hernando, Emilio Sánchez, Miguel Angel de la Casa, Xin Chen-Zhao, Mariola García-Aranda and 5 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Beatriz Álvarez *Department of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2244-801X
Angel Montero *Department of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain. angel.monteroluis@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5566-0493
Jeannette ValeroDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Mercedes LópezDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Raquel CiérvideDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0130-878X
Ovidio HernandoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9615-9686
Emilio SánchezDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Miguel Angel de la CasaDepartment of Medical Physics, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.
Xin Chen-ZhaoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5118-1513
Mariola García-ArandaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Ana MartinezDepartment of Medical Physics, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.
Rosa AlonsoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Miguel SánchezDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.
Pedro Fernández-LetónDepartment of Medical Physics, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain.
Carmen RubioDepartment of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, c/Oña 10, 28050, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4343-7814

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPainful musculoskeletal disorders (PMDs) represent an increasing public health concern, particularly among aging populations. When conservative therapies prove insufficient, low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has emerged as a non-invasive and effective treatment alternative. Despite growing clinical evidence supporting its efficacy, LDRT remains underutilized due to persistent skepticism and the absence of standardized clinical guidelines. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis review synthesizes current evidence on the use of LDRT for PMDs, focusing on its biological mechanisms, optimal dosing regimens, clinical efficacy, and safety profile. Attention is given to dose fractionation strategies, timing of re-irradiation, and technological advancements that enhance treatment precision.

resultsLDRT provides pain relief in 60-90% of treated cases, with the most favorable results achieved using fraction doses between 0.3 and 0.7 Gy. Its anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through immune modulation, reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, and promotion of tissue repair. Re-irradiation performed 10-12 weeks after the initial cycle may be beneficial in patients experiencing symptom persistence or recurrence. Long-term follow-up data confirm sustained efficacy and indicate a minimal risk of radiation-induced malignancies in older adults.

conclusionLDRT is a safe and effective treatment option for PMDs, especially in patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. To facilitate its broader adoption, this review underscores key clinical evidence and proposes practical considerations for integrating LDRT into multidisciplinary pain management protocols.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal PainDose Fractionation, RadiationHumansRadiotherapy DosageInflammationLow-dose radiotherapyMusculoskeletal pain disordersOsteoarthritisPain managementRadiation therapy

Identifiers

PMID40287913

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.