Combined Compression and Exercise Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer: A...

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating side effect of taxane-based chemotherapy, significantly affecting patients' quality of life. We investigated the effects of exercise combined with compression therapy on CIPN, 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, and body mass index in patients with breast cancer.

A total of 108 patients with peripheral neuropathy treated with albumin/paclitaxel (250 mg/m²) chemotherapy in the Breast Department of Tangshan People's Hospital were selected and randomly divided into a general treatment group (Group G), compression therapy group (Group CG), and a combined exercise (EXCAP) and compression therapy group (Group ECG). The incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and body mass index (BMI) were measured at baseline (preintervention) and after the 4-cycle intervention, and the differences between the 3 groups were compared.

After intervention, Group ECG showed a 0.0% incidence of grade 2 CIPN versus 25.0% in CG and 50.0% in G (P < .001), with an absolute risk reduction of 50.0% (95% CI, 33.8% to 66.2%) compared to Group G, and a 100.0% incidence of grade 1 CIPN versus 75.0% in CG and 50.0% in G (P < .001). With a 19.99 ± 5.82 ng/mL in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vs. 15.45 ± 4.58 in G, P < .001; mean difference: 4.54 ng/mL, 95% CI, 1.56-7.53) and BMI reduction to 23.10 ± 2.27 (vs. 26.96 ± 2.91 in G, P < .001, mean difference: -3.86 kg/m², 95% CI, -5.54 to -2.32).

Combined compression and exercise therapy can effectively reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, alleviate the decline in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and control the body mass index in patients undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy. We recommend integrating compression therapy with EXCAP exercise into routine chemotherapy care to reduce CIPN incidence, manage BMI, and maintain vitamin D levels for better patient outcomes.