Effectiveness of Extremity Exercise Program with Nerve Gliding to Improve Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms in Breast Cancer Women

Hassan Nabih Mohamed, Madiha; A. Fadel Elsherbiny, Eman; Gamal Mohamed Ellatif Abouelezz, Zeinab

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2025.419372

Effectiveness of Extremity Exercise Program with Nerve Gliding to Improve Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms in Breast Cancer Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing- Mansoura University and Head of Adult Nursing department, Faculty of Nursing- Delta University

² Assistant Professor of Woman's Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.

³ Assistant Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing College of Nursing, Misr University for Science and Technology

10.21608/ejhc.2025.419372

Abstract

The most popular and successful cancer treatment is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a remarkably significant adverse effect relevant to cancer treatment.Developing efficient treatments to control neuropathic symptoms is essential given the detrimental and long-term effects of CIPN. Aim: To investigate effectiveness of extremity exercise program with nerve gliding in order to mitigate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer women. Research design: A quasi-experimental design was employed. Setting: The study was conducted at Nuclear Medicine Unit affiliated to Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt. Study subject: A purposive sample consists of 100 breast cancer women undergoing standard chemotherapy with taxanes, vinca alkaloids and platinum compounds was chosen to accomplish the aim of the current study. Tools: Four tools were used to gather the study's pertinent data: Tool I: A structured interview Questionnaire, Tool II: Neuropathy Scale-clinical version (TNSc), Tool III: Peripheral Neuropathy Scale (PNS) and Tool IV: Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS). Results: The study group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in terms of the intensity of neuropathic pain after intervention, physical function and role function (0.005* and 000.0*), and symptom severity (P=0001*) when compared to the control group. Neuropathy symptoms and indicators were positively correlated with functional interference (P=<0.001*). Conclusion: The current study came to a conclusion that using an exercise program combined with nerve gliding as a treatment paradigm improves functional abilities and neuropathic symptoms. It also shows promise as a treatment that may be used to help people with breast cancer during chemotherapy. Recommendations: Using an extremities exercise program combined with nerve gliding as an adjunctive therapy or interventional treatment for patients with CIPN. An in-service educational program regarding extremity exercise program with nerve gliding should be established at an organizational level to expand the nurses’ awareness regarding its importance for patients with CIPN.

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