Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) with Non-Pharmacological Interventions: Clinical Recommendations from a Systematic Scoping Review and an Expert Consensus Process.

Authors: Nadja Klafke, Jasmin Bossert, Birgit Kröger, Petra Neuberger, Ute Heyder, Monika Layer et al.Journal: Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)Published: February 24, 2023DOI: 10.3390/medsci11010015

Moderate Evidencen=75 participants

Peripheral Neuropathy Chemotherapy Side Effects

In Plain Language: neuropathy, explained

This study examined the effectiveness of complementary therapies, specifically for patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Researchers found that various interventions, including reflexology and other manipulative therapies, showed promise in alleviating symptoms for many patients. This is important as it suggests additional non-drug treatment options are available for those suffering from CIPN.

Key Findings: what this study found about neuropathy

✓Seventy-five studies reviewed, highlighting mixed study quality.
✓Manipulative therapies, including reflexology, may effectively treat CIPN.
✓The expert panel approved 17 supportive interventions, notably phytotherapeutic strategies.

What This Means for You

For individuals considering reflexology for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, this study indicates that such therapies, including reflexology, may be beneficial in reducing their symptoms, providing a non-pharmacological alternative.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology practitioners can utilize these findings to inform patients about the potential benefits of reflexology in alleviating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms and consider incorporating it into a broader treatment plan that includes other complementary therapies.

Study Design: how this study was run

Blinding

open label

Control

none

Duration

not specified

Sample Size

75 participants

Limitations: what it cannot tell you about neuropathy

The review included studies of mixed quality and did not specify the duration of interventions or control measures, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.

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Neuropathy: common questions

What does this study say about neuropathy?

What did this study find?

Seventy-five studies reviewed, highlighting mixed study quality. Manipulative therapies, including reflexology, may effectively treat CIPN. The expert panel approved 17 supportive interventions, notably phytotherapeutic strategies.

How strong is this evidence?

We rate this study's evidence moderate. It covers 75 participants. It was published in Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland). This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.

What are the limitations of this study?

The review included studies of mixed quality and did not specify the duration of interventions or control measures, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.