A Novel Approach of Intraneural Facilitation Versus Standard Physical Therapy for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study compared Intraneural Facilitation (INF) therapy and standard physical therapy (PT) in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in women with newly diagnosed breast and gynecologic cancer. Thirty-eight women undergoing platinum and/or taxane-based chemotherapy, without prior peripheral neuropathy, were randomized into INF therapy (n = 20) and PT (n = 18). Treatments lasted 45 minutes, twice weekly, for 6 weeks. Neuropathy severity was evaluated using the Pain Quality Assessment Scale. Assessments were at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months post-intervention. Acceptability, burden, and satisfaction were evaluated after 6 weeks. Among 38 patients, 12 (32%) experienced CIPN, with mean pain scores remaining mild (≤3) and no pharmacotherapy required until week 6. No adverse events were reported from the interventions. The INF therapy arm showed significant changes in numbness ( = 6.030,  = .001, partial η = 0.262) after week 6, while the PT arm showed significant changes in numbness ( = -2.39,  = .017), tingling ( = -2.84,  = .004), cramping ( = -2.120,  = .034), surface pain ( = -2.75,  = .006), and deep pain ( = -1.99,  = .046) between weeks 3 and 6. Nearly 80% of patients completed chemotherapy cycles with an average relative dose intensity of 90.4% (INF therapy: 87.73% vs PT: 73.44%). Ninety-four percent of patients were satisfied with their care, accepted the treatments, and perceived them as a low burden. The results demonstrated that INF therapy and PT are feasible options for CIPN, improving treatment adherence, outcomes, and quality of life for women with newly diagnosed breast and gynecological cancers. - The study was pre-registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03272919). August 8, 2017.