Effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on improving quality of life, total neuropathy score, strength and reducing pain in cancer survivors suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy – a systematic review
Nikita Seth, Moh’d Irshad Qureshi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer treatment frequently results in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which is a side effect that is now neither properly preventable nor treatable. Physical therapy has been studied in this patient population and is frequently utilised for neurological rehabilitation after damage. PURPOSE: This study set out to thoroughly review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of physical therapy for patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. DATA SOURCES: From their beginning in January 2017 to January 2023, EMBASE, PubMed, Medline, PEDro, and the Cochrane Library were searched for pertinent RCTs. Additionally, manual search techniques were applied. STUDY SELECTION: On the basis of the inclusion criteria, two reviewers independently determined the study's eligibility. DATA EXTRACTION: Reviewers evaluated the quality of the studies and took note of their methodologies, designs, interventions, outcomes, and conclusions. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ten RCTs met all inclusion criteria. LIMITATIONS: Overall results are constrained by the variety of interventions and the small sample sizes of the included studies, which also indicate the need for more studies. CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapy has additional benefits for enhancing the quality of life of patients with peripheral neuropathy brought on by chemotherapy.