Speaker
Description
Background Exercise has been suggested as a promising non-pharmaceutical intervention for cancer treatment induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). However, current evidence is limited to only a few, mostly small, studies with heterogeneous interventions and methodological limitations, and only a limited number of studies focus on chronic CIPN. In addition, data on the cost-effectiveness of exercise programs for CIPN are lacking, limiting the implementation of multimodal exercise programs in clinical practice.
Objective To investigate the (cost-)effectiveness of a supervised multimodal exercise program on CIPN burden in patients with persistent CIPN after neurotoxic cancer treatment in a full-scale randomized trial.
Methods This multicenter RCT will include 136 patients who completed curative neurotoxic systemic cancer treatment ≥6 months ago and experience CIPN-interference in daily life. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to an intervention group receiving a novel 12-week supervised multimodal CIPN-specific exercise program, or a wait-list control group receiving the program after a 12-week waiting period. The multimodal program consists of CIPN-specific exercises combining balance, aerobic and resistance exercises twice per week, supervised by a physiotherapist; goal-directed occupational therapy; home-based balance training supplemented with daily hand/feet exercises; and the recommendation to walk ≥30 minutes on days without scheduled exercise sessions. The primary outcome is patient-reported CIPN burden (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20). Secondary outcomes include CIPN symptoms, disability, mood, fatigue, fear of falling, fear of movement, patient-specific goals, quality of life, physical functioning, physical activity, cost-effectiveness (from a societal perspective) and patient satisfaction. Data will be collected at baseline, 12 weeks (i.e., primary endpoint), and 24 weeks.
Results Recruiting since September 2025.
Conclusion This trial will provide evidence on the (cost-)effectiveness of a CIPN-specific supervised multimodal exercise program for patients with persistent CIPN.
Keywords
Peripheral neuropathy, Exercise, Cancer, Quality of life
| Abstract submitters declaration | yes |
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| Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval | yes |
