Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can be an incredibly prevalent complaint for people who are undergoing chemotherapy… but why is this the case? And as therapists, how can we make sure that we are providing the most effective treatments to work on this disruptive condition?
CIPN can have a large, yet often underappreciated effect on the ongoing quality of life, safety, and wellness of the person. It can lead to injury, falls, loss of function, depression, or even paresis, dependency and limb disuse.
CIPN: What is it?
Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy refers to the constellation of symptoms that can arise from damage to the nerves suppling the peripheries of the body, secondary to chemotherapeutic interventions. Nerve damage can result in numbness, pain, movement difficulties, paresthesia, burning, weakness, and cramping. In the treatment and management of cancer, certain drugs and medications can cause peripheral neuropathy and motor neurotoxicity. Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy, or CIPN as it is commonly referred to, is related to certain chemo drugs and to higher doses of medication. It most often presents clinically as a sensory neuropathy, though it may be accompanied by motor and autonomic changes. The reasons that chemotherapeutic drugs damage the peripheral nervous system are numerous, and include damage to the myelin sheath, neuroinflammation, and damage to microtubules, mitochondria, and DNA. The exact neurotoxicity mechanisms are associated with specific chemotherapeutics, such as platinum-based antineoplastics, taxanes, and proteasome inhibitors.The prevalence of CIPN is wide-ranging, and has been reported to affect people at various stages of treatment. Overall, prevalence of CIPN for those who undergo chemotherapy has been reported to range from 19% to over 85%. Some drugs (such as paclitaxel and oxaliplatin) demonstrate acute neuropathy during or immediately after infusion; however, many other CIPN symptoms present later in the course of treatment- weeks, or even months after the completion of chemo. This study demonstrated the wide range of CIPN onset, and identified peak prevalence at the 6-month assessment. Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy can, at times, become worsened as treatment ends, or mild CIPN may become more severe- and may persist for months or even years after treatment. CIPN presents as a predominantly sensory type of neuropathy, which may be accompanied by motor and autonomic changes. Sensory symptoms often involve the hands and feet as a ‘glove’ or ‘stocking’ neuropathy, with effects most exaggerated at distal regions of the extremity. Sensory symptoms can present as numbness, tingling, impaired ability to touch and vibration input, and decreased sensitivity to temperature. Pain may also present, and may be experienced as burning, shooting/electrical pain or generalized hyper-algesia. These sensory changes can become severe and even lead to a loss of sensation over time. Motor symptoms may take the form of weakness in the peripheries, or may be noticed as a result of frequent falls or a lack of coordination. Autonomic symptoms, which are least common, may involve orthostatic hypotension, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. CIPN, in contrast to other neuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy, may present more quickly and acutely, and progress more quickly to all extremities.Grab this cheat sheet to help manage cancer related fatigue!
So, as therapists, what is important for us to know about the treatment of CIPN?
Well, firstly, it bears mention that as Chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy is a complication of the often life-saving or preserving treatment that the patient has undergone, and so can be a complicated, emotional area for interventions. This may also compound the underappreciation of the toll on quality of life that CIPN can have. However, this condition is incredibly disruptive and distressing to the patient, and should be validated as such. It is also important to empower your patient to take an active part of the interventions for CIPN, as treatment and therapeutic intervention can be very effective! So, let’s take a look at some of the interventions we can affect, as clinicians.Pain

Want to learn more about rehab for Cancer Pain? Read this article!
Weakness
Weakness related to chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy neuropathy can be treated by including interventions such as standard strengthening and resistance training, in hand or intertarsal strengthening and dexterity exercise, and gross and fine motor coordination activities. There is much evidence to support the role of strengthening in the treatment and management of CIPN, both from a pain management point of view and a functional point of view. Coordination/Gross Motor Control tasks, as well as fine motor control, can target functional tasks such as bilateral integration, typing/writing, and object manipulation will be essential in dealing with neuropathy, specifically as it applies to the upper body. For affected feet and lower extremities, proprioception and strengthening exercises will help to decrease falls risk and loss of balance. Energy conservation for muscle fatigue and overuse may also be indicated as the person may have adopted compensatory movements that are less painful, but may be more energy consuming.Balance

How to set therapy goals for Hospice and Palliative Care
Sensory Loss

Safety and Home Hazard Management
