Effectiveness of exercise therapy on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with ovarian cancer: A scoping review

Background & aims: Exercise therapy is a potentially beneficial treatment option for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). However, there is a lack of consensus on the management of CIPN in patients with ovarian cancer. The purpose of this scoping review was to evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with ovarian cancer and explore key physical fitness parameters.

Methods: A systematic electronic search was conducted using the MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PEDro, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Two independent reviewers summarized the features and data from the literature regarding the effectiveness of exercise therapy for CIPN and the association between CIPN and physical fitness parameters.

Results: Ten articles involving 3402 participants were reviewed. The study design included one randomized controlled trial, one single-arm trial, one prospective cohort study, five retrospective cohort studies, and two cross-sectional studies. The mean patient age was >60 years in three studies and 50-60 years in six studies. The mean body mass index was >25.0 kg/m² in six studies and not stated in four studies. In six references, patients received platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy. The effectiveness of an exercise therapy program for CIPN was reported in a randomized controlled trial. Two cross-sectional studies highlighted the association between daily physical inactivity and CIPN; two retrospective cohort studies showed an association between low skeletal muscle density and CIPN; one article demonstrated an association between physical dysfunction and CIPN.

Conclusion: This scoping review indicates that although evidence is lacking, exercise intervention programs for CIPN in patients with ovarian cancer have potential benefits, especially when focused on daily physical activity, skeletal muscle density, and physical function.