Response of Hand Grip Strength to Task-oriented Training Program in Breast Cancer Patients with Taxanes-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

2 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University

10.21608/iptccu.2024.456293

Abstract

Background: A significant fraction of patients undergoing chemotherapy specially Taxanes suffer from peripheral neuropathy affecting hand strength. Task-oriented training, a form of exercise structured as tasks, focuses on improving specific functional abilities through practical, goal-directed activities. Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic benefits of task-oriented training in improving hand grip strength in patients with taxanes-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Subjects and methods: This randomized, single-blind controlled trial included forty-eight female breast cancer patients, aged 35-65, with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. They were randomly divided into two groups of 24 each. Over four weeks, with a frequency of three sessions per week, group A (the control group) received traditional physical therapy, while group B (the task-oriented training group) underwent task-oriented training in addition to traditional physical therapy. Hand grip strength was measured using the Takei Analog Hand Grip Strength Dynamometer before and after the four-week intervention. Results: After the 4th week of intervention, the two groups revealed decrease in mean percent change regarding grip strength within each group as a treatment effect. However, when we compared between the two groups regarding these values the two groups were similar. Conclusion: Neither task-oriented training nor conventional physical therapy has a significant impact on hand grip strength in breast cancer patients with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. However, patients undergoing task-oriented training may experience delayed onset or less severe symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Hand grip strength decreased in both groups following treatment, with a reduction of 19.5% in the control group and 11.5% in the task-oriented training group, indicating that the task-oriented program potentially delay the onset of CIPN symptoms.

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