Hand-Foot Exercises on Chemotheraphy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Pain, Falls and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the world among all cancer types. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common and serious side effect caused by chemotherapeutic agents, especially platinum analogues, taxanes, vinca alkaloids and bortezomib. The most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of colorectal cancers are platinum analogues It is known that oxaliplatin, one of the platinum analogues, causes 85-96% of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The most common symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy are; numbness, paresthesia, dysesthesia, pain, hypersensitivity to cold or heat, tingling, muscle cramps, distal weakness, gait disturbances, balance disorders, and impaired movement. Oxaliplatin, which is frequently used in the treatment of colorectal cancer, causes symptoms of both acute and chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. There is no proven method in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. However, various pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches are applied in its preventive and symptomatic treatment. Exercise and physical therapy interventions; It is stated that it improves strength, balance and other functional disorders in patients, reduces symptoms, and reduces the risk of falling by affecting gross motor dysfunctions such as balance and gait abnormalities. However, the limitations of studies on this subject in the literature draw attention. This situation suggests that new methods that can be applied in the care of cancer patients who develop peripheral neuropathy due to chemotherapy should be developed in the field of nursing. This research is the first study to evaluate the effect of hand-foot exercises on colorectal cancer patients who developed peripheral neuropathy due to platinum-based therapy. Research results; Alleviation of KBPN-induced pain and prevention of falls are important in terms of increasing the quality of life of patients and providing evidence for nursing practices by using it as a new method that can be applied in the care of cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of hand-foot exercises on the severity of pain, falls and quality of life associated with platinum-based therapy-related peripheral neuropathy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Aim of the study:This study was conducted to determine the effect of hand-foot exercises on platinum-based therapy-related peripheral neuropathy-related pain severity, falls and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer.

Design of the study:The research is a randomized controlled experimental study conducted to determine the effect of hand-foot exercises on platinum-based therapy-related peripheral neuropathy-related pain severity, falls and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer.

Study place and date:The research was carried out in Gülhane Training and Research Hospital Medical Oncology Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit. Research data were collected between 25 April and 31 December 2022.

Sample and setting:The population of the study consists of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who received platinum-based treatment in Gülhane Training and Research Hospital Medical Oncology Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit between April 25 and December 31, 2022. The sample of the study consists of patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Gülhane Training and Research Hospital Medical Oncology Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit between April 25 and December 31, 2022, received at least 2 and maximum 7 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy and accepted to participate in the study.

Measuraments:Research data were collected with Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, Exercise Follow-up Form, EORTC QLQ-C30 scale, EORTC QLQ-CR29 scale, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Fall Status Follow-up Form.

Ethical considerations:Ethics committee approval was obtained from Ankara University Ethics Committee for the conduct of the study. Institutional permission was obtained from Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, the institution where the research was conducted.Verbal and written informed consent was obtained from the patients who agreed to participate in the study.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being 18 years or older.
* Not having any physical or mental health problems that will prevent communication.
* Being conscious and cooperative.
* Being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
* Receiving 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy.
* Being treated with the FOLFOX regimen.
* Having chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy according to CIPNAT (Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool). (Answering "yes" to the first 4 questions)
* Agree to participate in the research.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Receiving less than 2 cycles of platinum-based therapy.
* To be receiving platinum-based treatment at 8th cycle and above.
* Being diagnosed with a chronic disease (diabetes) that can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
* Experiencing neuropathic symptoms due to cervical or lumbar hernia.
* Having a habit of using alcohol constantly.
* Being on medication that masks neuropathy signs or may develop neuropathy symptoms. (Opioid, beta blocker, anticonvulsant, tricyclic antidepressant etc.)
* Having previously received neurotoxic chemotherapy (such as taxane, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib).
* To have had major surgery in the last 1 month.
* Not having the physical and mental ability to complete the research.
* Refusing to participate in the research. Drop out Criteria
* Changing the chemotherapy protocol.
* Not being able to apply the Hand-Foot Exercises Program regularly.
* Indicate that they want to withdraw from the research while the research is in progress.
* Not being reached while the research is in progress.
* Losing life while research is in progress.