• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Exercise May Prevent Nerve Damage During Chemotherapy

by ZULEIHAT CHATTA
3 hours ago
in Health
chemotherapy
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

When a patient begins chemotherapy, the fight is double one against the cancer cells, and another against the side effects that can linger long after the last dose. Among the most painful and debilitating of these side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): damage to the nerves, leading to tingling, numbness, burning sensations, weakness, balance difficulties, and sometimes chronic pain. These symptoms can greatly reduce quality of life and even force patients to reduce or stop their cancer treatment.

Advertisement

Recently, researchers have explored a promising idea: could physical exercise during chemotherapy help prevent or reduce nerve damage? This shifts the paradigm: not just treating neuropathy after it appears, but possibly buffering against its onset. Small trials especially in neuromuscular and sensorimotor trainingreport reductions in neuropathy incidence. Yet guidelines remain cautious: due to limited and heterogeneous evidence, exercise is not yet widely endorsed as a preventative therapy for CIPN.
Understanding Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

What Is CIPN

Chemotherapy drugs (especially platinum compounds, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, etc.) can damage peripheral nerves, leading to sensory and sometimes motor symptoms commonly in hands and feet
How Common Is It

Advertisement

Estimates suggest 30–40 per cent of patients undergoing chemotherapy will experience clinically significant neuropathy.

Why It matters

Neuropathy can impair daily tasks (walking, dressing, gripping), increase falls, reduce therapy adherence, and persist long-term.

Current treatments

We have few strong medical treatments for CIPN, and much is supportive: pain relief, physical therapy, dose adjustments.
How Exercise Might Help
Biological Plausibility
Exercise can promote neuroplasticity, nerve repair, improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and better mitochondrial health in nerve cells.
Sensorimotor training (balance, coordination) may buffer stress on nerves by improving stability and compensatory mechanisms.
Evidence From Studies
In one trial, neuromuscular training (balance + other movements) reduced incidence of neuropathy by 50 to 70 per cent compared to usual care.
In a six-month aerobic exercise study of women post-chemotherapy, patients doing home aerobic exercise reported modest improvement in neuropathy symptoms vs controls.
A recent meta-analysis found exercise improved muscular strength and balance, though evidence was less clear on direct symptom (neuropathy) improvement.
Some studies caution that heterogeneity in design (type of exercise, timing, dosage) makes it difficult to generalize.
Current oncology guidelines consider evidence insufficient to strongly recommend exercise as a neuropathy preventive measure, though supportive in symptom management.

RELATED NEWS

Does Okra Cause Infertility In Men? What Science Says

Golden Milk: The Ancient Drink Your Body Will Thank You For

Antimicrobial Resistance: When The Drugs Stop Working

Nigeria Boosts Emergency Medical Response With Free 48-hour Treatment Policy

Practical Tips For Patients

If you or someone you know is undergoing chemotherapy, here are exercise tips and precautions to potentially reduce nerve damage. Always coordinate with oncologists, physiotherapists, or cancer rehab specialists.

1. Consult Before Beginning
Get clearance from oncology team (check blood counts, side effects, overall fitness).
Work with a physical therapist or cancer rehab expert if possible.

2. Focus On Neuromuscular And Balance Training
Balance exercises: single-leg stands, tandem walking (heel-to-toe), using soft or unstable surfaces.
Coordination drills, proprioceptive tasks (e.g. gentle step-ups, shifting weight).
Neuromuscular training in trials has shown promise in lowering neuropathy incidence.

3. Add Aerobic And Moderate Resistance Exercise
Gentle aerobic work (walking, stationary cycling) for 15–30 minutes, several times per week.
Resistance or strength training (light weights, resistance bands) two to three times weekly.
Some trials used these combined approaches to improve symptom scores.
4. Progress Gradually And Listen To Your Body
Start slowly, especially if you have fatigue, anemia or other side effects.
Monitor for pain, burning, swelling; back off if symptoms worsen.
Adjust intensity or rest if needed.

5. Be Consistent But Flexible
Consistency tends to yield benefits, but rest days are essential.
If certain movement aggravates symptoms, modify or skip it.
The goal is long-term movement, not maximal intensity.

6. Track Symptoms And Adjust

Keep a symptom diary: tingling, numbness, balance, strength.

Reassess periodically with clinicians and physiotherapists.

Use objective tests (e.g. physical function, balance) to gauge improvement.

7. Combine With Other supportive Care

Good nutrition, safe pain management, management of other side effects (e.g. anemia, vitamin deficiencies) support nerve health.

Address other risk factors: diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol use.

Use of protective agents (e.g. supplements or drugs under trial) may complement but only under medical supervision.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

SendShare10168Tweet6355Share

OTHER NEWS UPDATES

Seven Tips On How To Cope In Extreme Hot Weather
Health

Does Okra Cause Infertility In Men? What Science Says

4 hours ago
Golden Milk: The Ancient Drink Your Body Will Thank You For
Health

Golden Milk: The Ancient Drink Your Body Will Thank You For

4 hours ago
Antimicrobial Resistance: When The Drugs Stop Working
Health

Antimicrobial Resistance: When The Drugs Stop Working

4 hours ago
Advertisement
Leadership join WhatsApp

LATEST UPDATE

‘We Are Orphans’: Kenyans Bid Farewell To Ex-PM Odinga In Home City

2 hours ago

Families Of Fallen Officers Get N21m Police Assistance In Sokoto

3 hours ago

Governor Otu Hosts 7,000 Widows At 66th Birthday

3 hours ago

Besiktas Appoint Ndidi As New Vice Captain

3 hours ago

Benue Sports Sector Sees New Era As PS Commends SWAN Chair’s Inclusive Leadership

3 hours ago
Load More

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
    • Football
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Education
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.