Efficacy of Combined Hand Exercise Intervention in Patients With Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract Purpose Previous evidence regarding the impact of exercise interventions on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy often focuses on lower limb functions, such as muscle strength and balance ability, while the effect on upper extremities remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined hand exercise intervention on upper extremity function, symptoms, and quality-of-life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods After screening 341 patients, 42 were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=21) or control (n=21) groups. Participants were evaluated at baseline (T0), after one chemotherapy cycle (T1), and after two chemotherapy cycles (T2). The primary outcome was upper extremity function measured using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire at T2. The intention-to-treat and as-treated populations were compared using a mixed-effect model.Results In the intention-to-treat analysis, the decline in activities of daily living was significantly suppressed in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 7.23; 95% confidence interval: 0.35, 14.10; P=0.0397). Similarly, in the as-treated analysis, the decline in activities of daily living was significantly suppressed in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 13.09; 95% confidence interval: 5.68, 20.49; P=0.0008); and pain was also significantly improved in the intervention group than in the control group at T2 (difference: 13.21; 95% confidence interval: -22.91, -3.51; P=0.0083).Conclusion Performing a combined hand exercise intervention may prevent worsening in the activities of daily living using upper extremities in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.Trail registration number: UMIN000029389.Date of registration: 2017/10/02