Exercise Reduces Severity of Chemo Therapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

(Newswire.net — October 3, 2019) Darien, CT — Patients with cancer who experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) may experience improvement with exercise, according to a study published in Supportive Care in Cancer. CIPN is a commonly occurring morbidity associated with cancer therapy; approximately 50% of patients who receive taxane, platinum, or vinca-alkaloid–based chemotherapy experience peripheral neuropathy, but effective therapeutic options are limited.

CIPN symptoms feel like numbness or “pins and needles” in your hands and feet; difficulty picking up an object or buttoning clothing, ringing in your ears or loss of hearing, changes in vision; sudden, stabbing pains in your hands or feet. The toxicity of the chemotherapy eats away at the nerve covering called the myelin sheath. This results in poor nerve transmission.
While these symptoms seem to be minor the real issue becomes lack of mobility. Then we have to consider the risk of falling which skyrockets in this segment of the population. So it may seem minor but the comorbidities are very serious.
The study showed that those who exercised saw a lessening of neuropathic symptoms as opposed to those who were in the control group. The authors concluded that exercise “is a promising tool that clinicians should consider prescribing for patients receiving taxane-based, platinum-based, and vinca alkaloid-based drugs, especially for geriatric patients.