Published in:
01-09-2018 | Original Article – Clinical Oncology
Evaluation of the effects of sensorimotor exercise on physical and psychological parameters in breast cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy
Authors:
Paul Lennart Vollmers, Christoph Mundhenke, Nicolai Maass, Dirk Bauerschlag, Stefan Kratzenstein, Christoph Röcken, Thorsten Schmidt
Published in:
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
|
Issue 9/2018
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Abstract
Introduction
Breast cancer is the most common cancer disease of women in industrialized countries. Neurotoxic chemotherapy drugs are known to harm peripheral nerves and cause a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN is one of the most common adverse events associated with Paclitaxel chemotherapy and may remain present long after the termination of chemotherapy. Thus, it reduces the patients’ quality of life (QoL) both during chemotherapy and onwards, and can impose a danger on breast cancer survivors due to an increased risk of falling and fall-related injuries.
Methods
The aim of this randomized-controlled trial (RCT) (n = 36) (IG: intervention group, n = 17) (CG: control group, n = 19) was to determine whether sensorimotor exercises have a positive effect on physical and psychological parameters in breast cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy (Paclitaxel).
Results
As a result, we were able to show significant improvements in postural stability in monopedal stance [left leg 16.17 ± 3.67 vs. 21.55 ± 5.33 (p < 0.001) and right leg 15.14 ± 2.30 vs. 20.85 ± 5.05 (p < 0.001)] and in bipedal stance [T1 vs. T0, − 0.49 (IG) vs. + 1.14 (CG) p = 0.039].
Discussion
These results in posturography correlate with the clinical presentation with intervention group patients scoring significantly better on the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale [37.71 ± 2.73 vs. 34.47 ± 3.98 (p = 0.004)]. Moderate strength training successfully prevented a strength loss in the IG that was remarkable in the CG (− 1.60 vs. 0.60, p = 0.029). Concerning the psychological parameters assessed via EORTC- and MFI-questionnaires, no significant improvements were found.
Conclusion
Future studies should focus on the correlation of clinical and posturometry findings and subjective QOL such as the long-term-development of CIPN.