Relationship Between Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors: Prospective longitudinal study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the degree of peripheral neuropathy associated with treatment and physical activity through the use of objective indicators such as wristband activity tracker and subjective evaluations obtained through interviews.MethodsThis study included 11 patients with gynaecological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and malignant lymphoma. Participants were requested to wear a wristband activity metre at two-time points: early and mid-treatment. Activity-metre step counts were compared with factors such as energy expenditure and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General during early and mid-treatment. Interviews were analysed qualitatively and inductively.ResultsThere was no difference in the number of steps taken by participants in the early and mid-treatment periods (p=0.05), but they took more steps in the mid-treatment period than in the early period. Participants expended more energy during mid-treatment than early-treatment, but these differences were not significant. We noted a correlation between the number of steps and energy expenditure in the mid-treatment period (r=0.883). Comparisons between measures showed significant differences in "Impact" between early and mid-treatment on Distress and Impact Thermometer (p=0.034). The impact of numbness on activity was assigned to three categories: loss of routine caused by numbness, coping with the numbness-related inconvenience using various resources, and acceptance of life with numbness with the support of others and self-strength.ConclusionsThe participants devised strategies to maintain activities despite experiencing CIPN. The use of activity metres may enhance patient motivation, which in our opinion, is beneficial for self-care education. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the degree of peripheral neuropathy associated with treatment and physical activity through the use of objective indicators such as wristband activity tracker and subjective evaluations obtained through interviews. This study included 11 patients with gynaecological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and malignant lymphoma. Participants were requested to wear a wristband activity metre at two-time points: early and mid-treatment. Activity-metre step counts were compared with factors such as energy expenditure and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General during early and mid-treatment. Interviews were analysed qualitatively and inductively. There was no difference in the number of steps taken by participants in the early and mid-treatment periods (p=0.05), but they took more steps in the mid-treatment period than in the early period. Participants expended more energy during mid-treatment than early-treatment, but these differences were not significant. We noted a correlation between the number of steps and energy expenditure in the mid-treatment period (r=0.883). Comparisons between measures showed significant differences in "Impact" between early and mid-treatment on Distress and Impact Thermometer (p=0.034). The impact of numbness on activity was assigned to three categories: loss of routine caused by numbness, coping with the numbness-related inconvenience using various resources, and acceptance of life with numbness with the support of others and self-strength. The participants devised strategies to maintain activities despite experiencing CIPN. The use of activity metres may enhance patient motivation, which in our opinion, is beneficial for self-care education.