A recent study has explored the effect of exercise on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients treated for ovarian cancer.

CIPN is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy, characterized by damage to sensory, motor, and autonomic neurons, leading to altered perception and movement. Currently, there are no effective treatments for CIPN.

In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, 134 patients with ovarian cancer were included. The participants were randomized to either a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention or an attention control group. The exercise intervention consisted of home-based moderate-intensity aerobic exercise supported by weekly telephone counseling from a certified cancer exercise trainer. The attention control group received weekly health education telephone calls.

The primary outcome of the analysis was the change in CIPN severity, as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity scale. The results showed that the self-reported CIPN score was significantly lower in the exercise intervention group compared to the attention control group. The exercise intervention led to a 1.6-point reduction in the CIPN score, indicating an improvement in CIPN symptoms. The most improved CIPN components were discomfort in the feet, joint pain or muscle cramps, and an overall weak feeling.

The findings of this study suggest that exercise is a promising treatment for CIPN in ovarian cancer patients. Incorporating exercise program referrals into standard oncology care could help reduce CIPN symptoms and improve the quality of life for ovarian cancer survivors. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the role of exercise in preventing CIPN during chemotherapy immediately after cancer diagnosis.

Key Points:

1. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and severe adverse effect of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients.
2. There is currently no effective treatment for CIPN.
3. This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention significantly improved self-reported CIPN symptoms in ovarian cancer patients.
4. The exercise intervention led to a 1.6-point reduction in the CIPN score, indicating an improvement in CIPN symptoms.
5. Incorporating exercise program referrals into standard oncology care may help reduce CIPN symptoms and improve the quality of life for ovarian cancer survivors.

Source Article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807806