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A randomized pilot study of oncology massage to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Scientific reports
January 1, 1970
Gabriel Lopez et al. (12 authors)
Randomized Controlled TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the ideal weekly frequency and duration of massage therapy for relieving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms and assess its feasibility and initial efficacy.

Results Summary

The study found that massage was feasible with high completion rates, and the more intensive regimen (3X/week for 4 weeks) showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in CIPN symptoms compared to the less intensive regimen (2X/week for 6 weeks). Targeting the affected area directly (lower extremities) with the intensive regimen yielded the best outcomes.

Population

Adults (mean age 60.3) with lower extremity CIPN attributed to oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, or docetaxel, at least 6 months post-chemotherapy, and self-reported neuropathy score ≥3 (0-10 scale).

Effective Dosage

2X/week for 6 weeks or 3X/week for 4 weeks.

Duration

4 weeks (3X/week) or 6 weeks (2X/week).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Swedish massage protocol
no change
completion rates
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
mean completion rates (max = 12) were 8.9 (SD 4.2) for 3X/week and 9.8 (SD 4.0) for 2X/week
deemed feasible
#1
massage therapy
no change
Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) scores
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
no statistically significant differences
no statistically significant treatment group interactions
#2
massage therapy 3X/week for 4 weeks
decrease
PQAS subscales
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
p < 0.05
statistically significant treatment schedule main effect
#3
massage therapy 3X/week for 4 weeks
decrease
CIPN symptoms
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
-
lower CIPN symptoms
#4
massage therapy 3X/week for 4 weeks
decrease
CIPN symptoms
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
-
improvements considered clinically significant
#5
massage therapy 3X/week for 4 weeks
decrease
CIPN symptom reduction
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
-
better outcomes
#6
massage program targeting the CIPN-affected area directly provided 3X a week for 4 weeks
decrease
CIPN symptoms
patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)
-
resulted in the best outcomes
#7
Abstract

This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated massage therapy for symptomatic relief of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) to determine the ideal weekly frequency and number of weeks of providing massage. We evaluated the feasibility and initial efficacy of a Swedish massage protocol to treat lower extremity (LE) CIPN. Inclusion criteria: LE neuropathy attributed to oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, or docetaxel, with no other attributable causes; ≥ 6 months since last chemotherapy; self-reported neuropathy score ≥ 3, 0-10 scale; age ≥ 18. Participant randomization (2:2:1:1) to one of four groups: LE (2) or head/neck/shoulder (control; 1) massage 3 times (3X) a week for 4 weeks; LE (2) or control (1) massage 2X/week for 6 weeks. Completion rate and the Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) was measured at baseline and 10 weeks later. 71 patients participated: 77.5% women; 57.7% (breast cancer), and 42.3% (GI cancer); mean age 60.3 y/o (range: 40-77); average > 3 years since last chemotherapy. Massage was deemed feasible: mean completion rates (max = 12) were 8.9 (SD 4.2) for 3X/week and 9.8 (SD 4.0) for 2X/week with no statistically significant differences. There were no statistically significant treatment group interactions in PQAS scores at 10-weeks follow-up. There was a statistically significant treatment schedule main effect for PQAS subscales (p < 0.05) at 10 weeks, with lower CIPN symptoms for 3X/week groups versus 2X/week groups. Improvements considered clinically significant favored the LE 3X/week group. Completion rates met pre-defined feasibility criteria. We seemed to observe better outcomes (CIPN symptom reduction) with the more intensive (3X/week for 4 weeks) massage intervention with no differences in adherence, regardless of whether the massage was directly to the CIPN-affected area or not. However, there was some suggestion that the massage program targeting the CIPN-affected area directly provided 3X a week for 4 weeks resulted in the best outcomes.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansFemaleMiddle AgedMalePilot ProjectsQuality of LifePeripheral Nervous System DiseasesMassageAntineoplastic Agents
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations8
Citations/Year2.7
Relative Citation Ratio0.94
NIH Percentile48%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.63
Normalized Score0.66
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