Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2021 Dec;90:105512. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105512. Epub 2021 Oct 16.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a side effect of cancer treatment, presents several issues to patients, including reduced sensation and increased fall risk. Previously, massage therapy has been shown to improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms, possibly through increased blood flow. A custom built intermittent pneumatic compression device, previously shown to increase lower leg blood flow, was tested as a plausible treatment modality.
Seven cancer survivors suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy were recruited. Foot sensation (Semmes-Weinstein test) as well as static (dual and tandem stance) and dynamic (timed-up-and-go) balance control tests were performed both pre and post a 5-min intermittent pneumatic compression intervention. Self-reported feedback was provided by participants following testing and 24-h later.
Five participants reported positive changes in their feet immediately following intermittent pneumatic compression treatment while four of those participants reported positive changes up to 24 h after intervention. Foot sensation was unchanged regardless of location tested (P ≥ 0.23). Postural sway path length and sway area were unchanged following intervention during dual stance (P ≥ 0.14), but path length was significantly reduced (19.9%) following intervention during tandem stance (P = 0.033). Timed-up-and-go duration was also significantly reduced (7.0%, P = 0.012).
Overall, these findings demonstrate that intermittent pneumatic compression may be a plausible treatment modality for improving self-reported foot sensation as well as static and dynamic balance control. As a pilot study, this study provides sufficient context for further research exploring the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression as a treatment using a randomized control trial design.
化疗引起的周围神经病是癌症治疗的一种副作用，会给患者带来多种问题，包括感觉减退和跌倒风险增加。先前的研究表明，按摩疗法可以改善化疗引起的周围神经病症状，其作用机制可能与增加血流量有关。本研究中，我们使用一种间歇气动压缩装置对化疗引起的周围神经病患者进行干预，该装置先前已被证明可以增加小腿血流量，被认为是一种合理的治疗方法。
本研究共招募了 7 名患有化疗引起的周围神经病的癌症幸存者。在接受 5 分钟间歇气动压缩干预前后，分别进行足部感觉（Semmes-Weinstein 测试）以及静态（双足和并足站立）和动态（计时起立行走测试）平衡控制测试。在测试后和 24 小时后，参与者提供了自我报告的反馈。
5 名参与者在接受间歇气动压缩治疗后立即报告足部感觉有所改善，其中 4 名参与者在干预后 24 小时仍报告足部感觉有所改善。无论测试部位如何，足部感觉均无变化（P≥0.23）。在双足站立时，干预后姿势摆动路径长度和摆动面积没有变化（P≥0.14），但在并足站立时，干预后路径长度显著缩短（19.9%，P=0.033）。计时起立行走测试的用时也显著缩短（7.0%，P=0.012）。
总的来说，这些发现表明间歇气动压缩可能是改善自我报告的足部感觉以及静态和动态平衡控制的一种合理的治疗方法。作为一项初步研究，本研究为进一步研究使用随机对照试验设计评估间歇气动压缩作为治疗方法的疗效提供了足够的背景信息。
