Study on oncological massages for peripheral neuropathy

This pilot randomized controlled trial from the University of Texas investigated the efficacy of massage therapy for symptomatic relief of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) to determine the ideal weekly frequency and number of weeks for massage treatment. The feasibility and initial efficacy of a Swedish massage protocol for the treatment of lower extremity (UE) CIPN was evaluated.

The study was conducted in patients suffering from lower extremity neuropathy attributable to oxaliplatin, paclitaxel or docetaxel, with no other explainable causes and where at least 6 months had elapsed since the last chemotherapy.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: UE massage or head/neck/shoulder massage (control group) 3 times per week for 4 weeks; LE massage or control group 2 times per week for 6 weeks. The completion rate and the Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) were measured at baseline and 10 weeks later.

71 patients participated, 77.5% of whom were women, 57.7% with breast cancer and 42.3% with GI cancer, with a mean age of 60.3 years, with an average of more than 3 years since the last chemotherapy. Massage was rated as feasible. There were no significant interactions between treatment groups on PQAS scores at 10 weeks. A significantly important main effect of treatment schedule was observed for the PQAS subscales at 10 weeks, with lower CIPN symptoms in the 3 times per week group compared to the 2 times per week group. The group receiving lower extremity massage 3 times per week showed improvements that were considered clinically significant.

It appears that the more intensive massage intervention (3 times per week for 4 weeks) achieved better results, with no differences in adherence observed regardless of whether the massage was performed directly on the area affected by CIPN or not. However, there is evidence that massage aimed directly at the CIPN-affected area and performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks produces the best results.