Effectiveness of massage therapy (MT) as a treatment strategy and preventive modality for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms.

193 Background: CIPN has a known negative impact on quality of life (QoL) and can be a dose-limiting side effect of cytotoxic drugs with no generally agreed upon therapeutic intervention. In this study MT was assessed as a primary and secondary preventive modality of CIPN symptoms under the hypothesis that it can be used as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic option. Methods: A single arm 10-week prospective study (n = 62) with pre/post intervention assessment using a validated survey instrument adapted from “Peripheral neuropathy associated with novel therapies […]”. (Clin J Onc Nur. 2008; (12)3:9-12) Results: 97% (60/62) had at least 2 CIPN-related symptoms. (Table 1) After a single MT session, at least 50% of pts (range 52-100%) reported improvement in all CIPN-related symptom categories. These observations were maintained until 2nd MT session except for vestibulocochlear related symptoms. Initially, 25/60 were on analgesics. Of these, 14 (56%) had no progression of symptoms after 1st MT session. 13/25 presented for 2nd session. 5/13 (38%) reported no progression, 4/13 (31%) reported complete resolution of symptoms and 4/13 (31%) had progression. Conclusions: With the exception of vestibulocochlear symptoms associated with CIPN, study participants reported 50% or greater improvement, which was maintained after 1st MT session. The data suggests that pts on analgesics may also benefit from MT as at least 66% (17/25) reported lack of progression or resolution of symptoms after MT intervention. Consideration for an MT-inclusive treatment strategy is supported by this study. [Table: see text]