Task-oriented Training on Hand Function in Taxanes-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Task-oriented Training on Hand Function in Patients With Taxanes-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy based on taxanes is commonly used to treat breast cancer. However, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a side effect of taxanes, impairs a patient's grip strength, hand dexterity, and upper extremity function which affects quality of life (QOL).

Task-oriented training, a type of exercise where exercises are organized into tasks, concentrates on enhancing particular functional abilities through useful, goal-directed activities. So, the purpose of the study to explore the effectiveness of task-oriented training (TOT) on grip strength, hand dexterity and upper extremity function in patients with taxanes-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients were females only.
• Their ages range from 35 to 65.
• All patients suffered from CIPN after using taxanes (anti-cancer agent causing neurotoxic effect).
• Diagnosis of CIPN was determined based on symptom history or the presence of stocking glove pattern "distal dysesthesias, pain and numbness" beginning after taxanes intake.
• All patients enrolled to the study had their informed consent.
• Patients suffer from affected brachial plexus.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients had pain or numbness in the upper extremity due to other reasons like trauma (fracture), CNS diseases (cerebral infarction), other diseases with neurological symptoms like (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or cervical myelopathy).
• Patients had bone, brain or spinal cord metastases.
• Patients who had history of psychiatric disorders like: depression and schizophrenia or cognitive decline that may hinder them from active participation in the study.
• Patients exhibited only acute neuropathy like in patients using oxaliplatin.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients had pain or numbness in the upper extremity due to other reasons like trauma (fracture), CNS diseases (cerebral infarction), other diseases with neurological symptoms like (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or cervical myelopathy).
• Patients had bone, brain or spinal cord metastases.
• Patients who had history of psychiatric disorders like: depression and schizophrenia or cognitive decline that may hinder them from active participation in the study.
• Patients exhibited only acute neuropathy like in patients using oxaliplatin