Correlation Between the Trajectory of the Center of Pressure and Thermography of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to correlate potential the stabilometric parameters of baropodometry with the superficial temperature of the legs of cancer patients during and after treatment.

METHODS

This study included 30 volunteers of both sexes, divided into the following groups: chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (n = 15; age = 57.13 ± 16.74 years) and cancer group without current treatment (n = 15; age = 63.29 ± 7.34 years). They were assessed for superficial temperature of the legs using infrared thermography with anterior and posterior views. Assessment of postural balance was conducted using a baropodometer, in 2 conditions-participants' open and closed eyes-to obtain the center of pressure (COP) of anteroposterior displacement, center of pressure of mediolateral displacement (COP-ML), and center of pressure of displacement area.

RESULTS

When their eyes were open, the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group presented a high correlation between the displacement of the ML and the surface anterior temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.578;  = .030; left: r = 0.619;  = .018) and posterior region of the right leg (r = 0.571;  = .033), and they presented a high correlation between COP with anterior surface temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.585;  = .028; left: r = 0.540;  = .046). When patients' eyes were closed, no correlation was found between the thermography and the stabilometric parameters evaluated.

CONCLUSION

During the chemotherapy-radiotherapy, cancer patients present ML and COP displacement that correlates with infrared thermography evaluation when their eyes are open.