Quality of life improves as well.
Chemotherapy often leads to a condition known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which can severely impact treatment effectiveness, patient well-being, and survival rates. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has provided new insights into mitigating CIPN through neuromuscular training. Researchers from the University of Basel and the German Sport University Cologne found that engaging in neuromuscular exercises could reduce the incidence of CIPN by 50 to 70 percent and might enhance survival rates by improving patients’ resilience to chemotherapy.
The study, led by Fiona Streckmann, involved a randomized trial with 158 cancer patients receiving treatments with oxaliplatin or vinca alkaloids. CIPN affects up to 90 percent of individuals undergoing these therapies, often causing chronic pain, numbness, and balance problems. The participants were divided into three groups: one receiving sensorimotor training (SMT), another undergoing whole-body vibration (WBV) training, and a control group receiving standard care.
Over five years, the control group experienced nearly double the rate of CIPN compared to those in the exercise groups. Participants in the SMT and WBV groups reported improved quality of life, reduced mortality rates, and a lower need for medication adjustments, which are often required when CIPN significantly impacts a patient’s condition. This study highlights a relatively simple and cost-effective approach to managing CIPN, a condition for which no pharmacological treatments currently exist. CIPN often disrupts chemotherapy regimens, leading to further complications.
Dr. Diana Garrett, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, a board-certified orthopedic specialist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, commented on the growing acceptance of exercise in cancer care. She noted that this study aligns with the increasing recognition of physical activity’s benefits in cancer survivorship, including lower cancer risk and recurrence rates, especially for breast and colon cancers.
Dr. Melinda Irwin from Yale Cancer Center praised the study as potentially transformative due to the ease of incorporating physical activity into treatment plans. She emphasized that with no existing pharmacological solutions for CIPN, the demonstrated effectiveness of SMT and WBV—requiring only two sessions of 15-30 minutes per week—marks a significant advancement. Dr. Irwin noted the importance of these findings in offering a practical, low-cost intervention for CIPN.
Dr. Garrett recommended a daily exercise routine of 30 minutes of moderate intensity, ideally involving enjoyable activities to ensure adherence. She highlighted the Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP) program as an example of a beneficial home-based exercise plan that includes aerobic and resistance training.
The study’s findings underscore the potential of exercise to address CIPN and suggest that such interventions could be seamlessly integrated into clinical and home-based care, providing a low-cost, low-risk option with minimal side effects. Further research could validate these results and explore the effectiveness of home-based exercise programs for managing CIPN.
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