Electroacupuncture and Exercise for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Description

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of cancer treatment that causes numbness, pain, and balance issues in a patient's hands and feet. This study focuses on finding a non-drug approach to help cancer survivors manage these uncomfortable symptoms. The main purpose of this research is to evaluate whether combining Electroacupuncture(EA) with a exercise training program works better than using electroacupuncture alone. Electroacupuncture uses gentle electrical pulses through acupuncture needles to stimulate nerves, while the exercise program aims to improve a patient's balance, physical strength, and movement safety. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination therapy or electroacupuncture alone. The study involves scheduled hospital visits along with home-based practice guided by instructional videos. The researchers aim to evaluate the efficacy of combined EA and exercise training program on neurological symptoms and quality of life in CIPN patients across different CTCAE grades.

Interventions

• Electroacupuncture (Device)
  A standardized electroacupuncture stimulation administered to specific upper limb acupoints (PC6, LI11, HT7) and lower limb acupoints (ST36, SP6, KI3, LR3) for 20 minutes per session. A dense-disperse wave profile at a frequency of 2/100 Hz is applied, with the intensity adjusted to the participant's maximum comfortable level without inducing pain ("De-Qi" sensation).
• Exercise Training (Behavioral)
  A 30-minute structured, progressive exercise regimen focusing on balance, muscle strength, sensory integration, and coordination. The program features moderate-intensity activities (RPE 11-14) including multi-directional stepping, trunk rotation control, dynamic balance integrated with upper limb proprioception/visual tracking, progressive squat-walking, and cross-knee touch balance training.
• Structured Home-Based Health Education and Dose-Controlled Exercise Program (Behavioral)
  Participants in the experimental group will receive a structured home support and health education program designed to enhance the therapeutic effects of the in-hospital intervention. The intervention includes: Daily Safety and Protection Guidance: Education on environmental safety and peripheral neuropathy protection . Dose-Controlled Home Exercise \& Acupressure: Participants will practice home-based exercises and acupressure guided by instructional videos via QR codes. To maintain an identical total weekly intervention dose across the group, the frequency is tailored based on stratification: Tier 1 (1 in-hospital session) will practice 2 times/week at home; Tier 2 (2 in-hospital sessions) will practice 1 time/week at home. This ensures a total exercise volume of 3 sessions per week for all participants in this group. Home Exercise Log: Participants are required to maintain a daily log to track practice frequency and recording subjective feedback.
• General Health Education (Behavioral)
  Participants in the control group will receive routine, standard-of-care health education delivered by clinical staff during their hospital visits. This educational session covers general, non-structured advice on daily care and safety precautions for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• ShowChwanMH — Changhua, Changhua, Taiwan
• Show Chwan Memorial Hospital — Changhua, Taiwan