A new study from the University of Basel and the German Sport University Cologne has recently found that specific exercise and cancer therapy together can effectively prevent nerve damage in many cases. Cancer therapies have improved over time. But many medications of some treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapies can damage nerves and tumor cells. Some therapies such as vinca alkaloids and
Oxaliplatin increases the risk of pain, balance issues, burning and numbness in almost 70-90 per cent of patients. These symptoms can be very painful and dangerous. They need proper treatment and more attention. But around 50% become chronic known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
This study was recently published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. In this study, researchers involved 158 individuals. These people had cancer and were taking either vinca alkaloids or oxaliplatin. Then they divided them into three groups. A control group received standard care and the other two groups completed weekly exercise sessions during chemotherapy. One group focused on balancing on unstable surfaces and the other was trained on a vibration plate. Each session lasted 15-30 minutes. Researchers tracked these participants and conducted regular exams to compare the development of nerve damage in different groups of participants over a period of five years.
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that individuals in the control group had twice as many cases of nerve damage compared to the exercise groups. This clearly shows that the exercises done alongside chemotherapy reduced the occurrence of nerve damage by 50 to 70%. Also, the exercises improved the participants’ quality of life, reduced the need to lower their cancer medication dosage, and decreased mortality in the five years after chemotherapy. Researchers also found that individuals who took vinca alkaloids and performed sensorimotor training improved the most.
The results of this study clearly show that simple exercises can prevent nerve damage caused by cancer treatments that often result in long-lasting symptoms. Hence healthcare professionals should suggest people that receive chemotherapy to perform exercise. This can help them reduce the risk of side effects caused by it. This can also reduce the risk of many other health complications and save many lives effectively.
