# Assessing the Therapeutic Role of Rehabilitation Programs in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)—A Scoping Review

## TL;DR

This review explores how rehabilitation programs can help manage chemotherapy-induced nerve damage, showing that exercises and complementary therapies may improve symptoms and quality of life for cancer patients.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive overview of rehabilitation interventions for CIPN, emphasizing the integration of physical and complementary therapies into standard care.

## Key findings

- Physical modalities like ultrasound and exercise showed promise in relieving CIPN symptoms in colorectal and breast cancer patients.
- Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and yoga were effective in managing CIPN symptoms.
- No distinct advantage was found in the timing of exercise interventions for CIPN.

## Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. Characterized by symptoms like pain, numbness, and muscle weakness, CIPN significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Current management strategies vary, with limited consensus on effective treatments. This scoping review aims to explore comprehensive rehabilitation interventions for CIPN, focusing on enhancing patient well-being and functional abilities. Methods: A scoping review, guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and Levac et al.’s refinements, was conducted to assess rehabilitation programs for CIPN. Searches across six databases were performed, with inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on studies with physical rehabilitation interventions. Data were charted, detailing interventions, demographics, and outcomes. Results were synthesized descriptively and presented narratively with tables. Results: The review included 24 studies covering diverse cancer types and treatments, involving a total of 1167 participants. Various interventions for CIPN were assessed, and results were thematically categorized according to exercise category. Physical modalities like ultrasound and exercise showed promise in symptom relief for colorectal and breast cancer patients. No distinct advantage was found in the timing of exercise interventions. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and yoga demonstrated effectiveness in managing CIPN symptoms. Conclusions: This review highlights the effectiveness of diverse physical and complementary interventions in managing CIPN, advocating for their integration into standard protocols. It emphasizes the need for holistic, patient-centered approaches that combine exercises, physical therapy, and complementary therapies to improve patient outcomes. These findings set a direction for future research and clinical practices focused on comprehensive and personalized CIPN management strategies.