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Pilates versus Gyrotonic Expansion System on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and fall risk
Ahmed M Elfahl1, Heba M Elfeky2, Ali Mohamed Ali Ismail3
1Assistant professor at Physical Therapy department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al -Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11732, Jordan.
Background:
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a prevalent and debilitating adverse effect that diminishes quality of life and elevates the risk of falls among cancer survivors.
Objective:
to compare the effect of Pilates versus Gyrotonic expansion system (GES) on CIPN and Fall Risk.
Methods:
In a single-blind, randomized controlled trial, all cancer survivors experiencing CIPN symptoms-pain, numbness, or tingling-with a score of 4 or higher on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS) for a minimum of 3 months post-chemotherapy. The authors randomly assigned 96 participants into three groups: (A) Pilates, (B) GES, and (C) control group. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), grip strength, Four-Square Step Test (FSST), and Dual Task (DT) gait speed were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. We evaluated differences between treatments groups for each outcome measure utilizing repeated measures mixed MANOVA incorporating treatment-by-time interactions.
Results:
At week 12, the NRS groups A and B showed significant pain reduction with CI intervals of (1.5: 3.38) and (1.51: 3.39), respectively. In grip strength, both groups A and B demonstrated significant improvements, with CIs of (-5.4:3.7) and (-1.9:0.26). The Four-Square Step Test (FSST) also reflected significant enhancement for groups A and B, with CIs of (2.3:4.7) and (2.7:4.8).
Conclusion:
Among cancer survivors with CIPN, both the Pilates and Gyrotonic Expansion System groups achieved clinically meaningful reductions in pain. Notably, only the Pilates group showed a significant improvement in grip strength, exceeding the minimum clinically important difference (MCID).In terms of functional mobility, both exercise groups surpassed the MCID on the Four Square Step Test (FSST), reflecting meaningful gains, but again. None of the groups met the MCID for dual-task gait speed. Overall, these findings highlight that targeted exercise interventions-particularly Pilates-are more effective in achieving clinically significant improvements in pain reduction, grip strength, and functional mobility.
