Effect of lower limb closed kinematic chain exercises on balance in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a pilot study

Because of the rising prevalence of cancer, many individuals are living with the side effects of cancer and its treatment. One of the possible side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of lower limb closed kinematic chain exercises on balance in patients with CIPN. The study design was a single group pre-post experimental one. The study was conducted at a tertiary care cancer hospital. A total of 25 individuals with CIPN and aged 30 years and older were recruited using the Modified Total Neuropathy Score higher than 5. Closed kinematic chain exercises were administered for a total of 15 sessions over 3 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline using the mTNS and Berg Balance Scale and reassessed after 15 sessions. mTNS score decreased from 13.88 at baseline to 6.5 at the end of intervention, and the Berg Balance Scale increased from 26 at baseline to 42 after intervention, with a P-value of 0.00001. Exercises were effective in reducing symptoms in neuropathy and improving balance. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.