ASPO Abstracts
Exercise Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy among Women Treated for Ovarian Cancer
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common chemotoxicities and can develop or persist after treatment completion. CIPN is associated with worse physical function and quality of life among ovarian cancer survivors, and at present there is no effective treatment available. In this study, we examined the effect of a six-month aerobic exercise intervention on CIPN among women treated for ovarian cancer in the Women's Activity and Lifestyle Study in Connecticut (WALC). Methods: Women who completed treatment for ovarian cancer (N=144) were randomized 1:1 to a six-month exercise intervention or attention-control. Women who had received chemotherapy were included in this analysis (N=134). CIPN was measured at baseline and 6-months via the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity self-report questionnaire (score ranges from 0 to 44, with higher scores indicating greater symptoms). We used a mixed-model repeated measures analysis to assess the 6-month change in CIPN between intervention arms. Results: On average, women were 57.5±8.4 years old and 1.7±1.0 years post-diagnosis. Baseline CIPN scores were 8.09±5.64 and 8.78±7.91 in the exercise and control arms, respectively (P=0.56). The CIPN score was significantly reduced by 1.25 points (95% CI: -2.32 to -0.18) in the exercise arm from baseline to six months, and no change was observed in the attention-control arm (0.39, 95% CI: -0.75 to 1.53). The between group difference was -1.64 points (95% CI: -3.13 to -0.15, P=0.03), a decrease of 20.3% in the self-reported CIPN score. The effect was stronger among the 127 patients with CIPN symptoms at study enrollment (-2.02, 95% CI: -3.56 to -0.48; P=0.01). Discomfort in feet, joint pain or muscle cramps, and overall weak feeling were the individual components of the self-reported CIPN score that were most improved via the exercise intervention. Conclusion: A 6-month aerobic exercise intervention significantly improved self-reported CIPN among women treated for ovarian cancer compared to attention-control. While replication in other studies is warranted, exercise could help prevent or attenuate CIPN among women treated for ovarian cancer.
Keywords: Neuropathy; Ovarian cancer; Exercise