Exercise Intervention for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Prevalence and Effectiveness of Exercise on Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Oncology Patients

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy that can negatively impact patients' functional status and quality of life. This study was conducted in two phases among oncology patients receiving chemotherapy at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai, India. Phase I used a descriptive survey design to determine the prevalence of CIPN. Phase II employed a randomized controlled experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured exercise program in reducing CIPN symptoms among patients with mild to moderate CIPN. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received education and supervised exercises involving lower and upper extremity movements, while the control group received routine care. Outcomes were assessed using the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Scale before and after a 21-day intervention period.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Exercise; Neuropathy; Oncology; Effectiveness; Patients on Chemotherapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Structured exercise program for CIPN

Detailed Description

This quantitative study was conducted in two phases. Phase I assessed the prevalence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 282 participants were enrolled.

Based on the prevalence findings, Phase II was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a structured exercise program. One hundred and twenty patients with mild or moderate CIPN were randomly allocated into intervention (n=60) and control (n=60) groups using a lottery method. The intervention consisted of education regarding CIPN and a structured exercise program including toe flexion and extension, ankle circles, toe spreading, heel raises, finger extension stretches, pinch grips, and finger circles. Exercises were performed 10-15 repetitions per extremity, 2-3 times daily, for 21 days.

Participants in the control group received routine oncology care. CIPN severity was measured before and after the intervention using the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 282
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• India
  • Tamil Nadu
    • Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 600116
      • Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than 18 years
• Receiving chemotherapy
• Diagnosed with mild or moderate chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing peripheral neuropathy unrelated to chemotherapy (e.g., diabetic neuropathy).
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
• Significant cardiovascular disease.
• Severe musculoskeletal disorders.
• Contraindications to exercise, including recent surgery, bone metastases, or severe anemia.
• Severe mobility limitations.
• Severe mental health conditions affecting participation.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental Arm: Structured Exercise Program; Participants received structured education regarding chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and performed a supervised exercise program involving lower and upper extremity exercises for 21 days in addition to routine care.	Behavioral: Structured exercise program for CIPN; Patients in the intervention group receive structured education about CIPN, which included its definition, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and management through exercises. The exercises were demonstrated by the researcher and involved leg toe flexion and extension, ankle circles, toe spreading, heel raises, as well as hand exercises such as finger extension stretches, pinch grips, and finger circles. Participants were asked to return demonstrate the exercises, continue practicing them under supervision for one to two days during hospitalization for chemotherapy and after discharge for a period of 21 days when they came for their subsequent cycle of chemotherapy. This was then reinforced using a pamphlet which was provided to the patients, and patients were encouraged to maintain a daily practice
No Intervention: Control Arm: Routine Care; Participants received standard oncology care including consultation and medication management according to institutional protocols.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Severity of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy	Change in CIPN severity score measured using the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Scale from baseline to Day 21.	Baseline and Day 21

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy among oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.	Prescence of CIPN and its severity score measured using the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Scale from baseline to Day 21.	At baseline assessment.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial; Exercise Therapy; Oncology Patients; Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Neoplasms; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: 05/185

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared. De-identified data may be available from the corresponding investigator upon reasonable request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No