Effect Of Exercises On Pain Severity Related to Peripheral Neuropathy Among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Pain associated with neuropathy caused by chemotherapy is one of the most difficult symptoms faced by cancer patients.

 The Current study aimed to evaluating the effect of exercises on the severity of pain associated with peripheral neuropathy among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ouasi-experimental design was used. The study was applied on a  sample of 60 patients at Al-Biruni University Hospital in Damascus. The control group was left to continue the hospital's routine, the experimental group underwent exercises at 4 sessions weekly over eight weeks, both groups continuing their treatment plan. Data were collected by using 3 tolls, namely: sociodemographic and clinical data, LANSS Pain Score, and the Colored Visual Analogue Pain Scale. Pain was assessed before the intervention, after four weeks, and after eight weeks. 

Results showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity between the two groups of patients, the pain was less intense in the experimental group. The study recommended for using the exercises (muscle strengthening and balancing) to reduce pain associated with peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.