Exercise Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients
We have always been told exercise is good for us and it doesn’t seem to matter what stage of life you are at, or what’s happening in your life or health there is always a benefit. Some of the articles we come across the benefits are about prevention and some are about getting your life back. But it doesn’t matter which way you look at it exercise in some form is good for us all.
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
* Chemotherapy treatment induces in cancer patients a huge number of side effects, such as peripheral neuropathy (affects the peripheral nervous system, which transmits messages between the central nervous system and other parts of the body. The damage affecting nerves may impair movement, sensation and other aspects of health) that compromise physical efficiency. Physical exercise is feasible for cancer patients undergoing treatment and can counteract the limitations due to chemotherapy.
* This systematic review demonstrated significant improvements in static balance control and quality of life following an exercise protocol in patients with cancer.
– Jeffrey Wiisanen, MD
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological and clinically relevant side effect of many commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, little effort has been done to investigate the potentially beneficial effects of specific exercises to counteract the chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
This document aims to summarize and analyze systematically the current body of evidence about the effects of specific exercise protocols on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms, balance control, physical function and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
LITERATURE SURVEY
Specific terms were identified for the literature research in MEDLINE, Scopus, Bandolier, PEDro, and Web of Science.
METHODOLOGY
Four manuscripts were considered eligible for this review. Quality appraisal distinguished two studies as high quality investigations while two with low quality. Results were summarized in the following domains: “Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms”, “Static balance control”, “Dynamic balance control”, “Quality of life and Physical function”.
SYNTHESIS
Significant improvements were detected on postural control. Additionally, patients’ quality of life and independence were found much improved after exercise sessions. Combined exercise protocols including endurance, strength and sensorimotor training showed larger improvements.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review comes from a highly selected but small source of data. Nevertheless, specific exercise for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms should be recommended since these interventions appeared as feasible and have been demonstrated as useful tools to counteract some of the limitations due to chemotherapy.
At Botanica Medica our Naturopaths are well aware of the importance of exercise, a good diet and the effect it can have on your life both physically and mentally. They come across lots of interesting studies and are always updating their knowledge. If you would like to make an appointment with one of our Naturopaths call Botanica Medica on 8271-1827 today. They are only to happy to share the knowledge they have gained through their studies and patient outcomes, and get you feeling better. Botanica Medica is located at 97 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood and appointments are available Monday to Saturday including some after hours.
Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Federica Duregon, Barbara Vendramin, Valentina Bullo, Stefano Gobbo, Lucia Cugusi, Andrea Di Blasio, Daniel Neunhaeuserer, Marco Zaccaria, Marco Bergamin
Published Online: November 07, 2017
Art work done in Canva
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