Prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with classical massage in breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel: An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether classical massage could reduce chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and improve quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant paclitaxel.
Results Summary
The study found that classical massage significantly reduced peripheral neuropathic pain, improved quality of life (particularly sensory and motor sub-scales), and showed beneficial effects on nerve conduction studies compared to the control group.
Population
Female breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant paclitaxel.
Effective Dosage
Applied before each paclitaxel infusion (frequency not specified).
Duration
16 weeks (assessments at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
classical massage | decrease | peripheral neuropathic pain | female breast cancer patients | - | was lower | #1 |
classical massage | increase | sensory sub-scale scores of the QOL measure | female breast cancer patients | - | showed statistically significant differences over time in favor | #2 |
classical massage | increase | motor sub-scale scores of the QOL measure | female breast cancer patients | - | showed statistically significant differences over time in favor | #3 |
classical massage | increase | sensory action potential amplitude of the median nerve | female breast cancer patients | - | was significantly higher | #4 |
classical massage | decrease | tibial nerve latency | female breast cancer patients | - | was significantly shorter | #5 |
classical massage | decrease | chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain | female breast cancer patients | - | successfully prevented | #6 |
classical massage | increase | the QOL | female breast cancer patients | - | improved | #7 |
classical massage | increase | the NCS findings | female breast cancer patients | - | showed beneficial effects on | #8 |
PURPOSE: This assessor-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial aimed at investigating the effect of classical massage on chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy and the quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant paclitaxel. METHODS: A total of 40 female breast cancer patients were randomly allocated to the classical massage group (CMG) or the control group (CG). Classical massage was applied to the patients in the CMG before each paclitaxel infusion. The CG received only usual care. Presence of peripheral neuropathic pain and QOL were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) findings were also recorded at baseline and week 12. RESULTS: The peripheral neuropathic pain was lower in the CMG compared to the CG at week 12 (p < 0.05). The sensory and motor sub-scale scores of the QOL measure showed statistically significant differences over time in favor of the CMG (p < 0.05). Sensory action potential amplitude of the median nerve was significantly higher and the tibial nerve latency was significantly shorter in the CMG compared to the CG at week 12. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that classical massage successfully prevented chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain, improved the QOL, and showed beneficial effects on the NCS findings.