Physical activity to manage CIPN

Wendy Vermaak shares how specialised physical activity and balance training is seen as an effective management tool for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a holistic approach of a combination of medication and supplements, physical therapy, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes. Although there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing further nerve damage.

Physical activity has multiple benefits for treatment of CIPN, with little to no negative side effects. 

It’s also inexpensive and empowers you to have a positive impact on your treatment and recovery journey. 

Clinical research has long established the health benefits of physical activity. This includes the reduced risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer as well as recurrence of cancer; reduced depression and anxiety; and improved sleep, cognition, bone health and physical function. 

Benefits of physical activity for CIPN

Physical activity can lessen CIPN symptoms by:

• Reducing inflammation.
• Promoting neuroplasticity (where nerves regenerate and learn new neural pathways).
• Modulating pain signalling (therefore reducing perception of pain)
• Improving balance, strength, functional capacity, and importantly improving quality of life.

How much physical activity will produce benefits? 

The Exercise Oncology guidelines suggest 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity. This could be comprised of a combination of aerobic exercise (like walking, cycling, swimming) to keep cardiovascular fit, strength training to prevent muscle wasting and to stay strong, flexibility to stay agile and move freely, and especially balance exercises. 

Practise of balance exercises is important because balance is usually affected by CIPN. Poor balance is also a contributor to a risk of falling, especially in older adults, and this can then lead to further injuries as well. Elderly cancer patients are at a higher risk of falling by up to a further 15%. This is often attributed to the actual cancer treatment, but also due to side effects of other medications. 

Chemotherapy medication can also affect vision which disturbs balance. Other medications can cause drowsiness, whilst others may affect actual muscle wasting and weakness, increasing the risk of a fall.

Try these physical activities

Even if the full recommended target is not met, just a few minutes of activity a day can have benefits.

Should you require further specific advice, contact a biokineticist who can prescribe individualised, scientifically-based prescription for you. 

This would address all aspects of your physical health whilst undergoing, or recovering from, cancer treatment.