Hand-Foot Exercises on Peripheral Neuropathy

İntroduction: New evaluation and care strategies for symptom control are gaining importance due to the increasing prevalence of cancer, expansion of chemotherapy indications, and the development of new chemotherapeutic agents with side effects such as peripheral neuropathy and pain. In the literature review, although there are studies evaluating the effects of neuropathic pain, neuropathy on quality of life and daily living activities, it was determined that there are a very limited number of studies on reducing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Simple, at-home exercises to prevent neuropathy can be done daily in a short period of time and do not require special equipment. These exercises may serve as an alternative therapy to improve quality of life by reducing pain in people with neuropathy. Purpose: This study will be conducted to compare the effects of hand and foot exercises on peripheral neuropathy and quality of life in breast cancer patients taking taxanes. Method: This study will be conducted using a randomized controlled research design. The research sample will consist of 84 women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy in the chemotherapy unit of a training and research hospital. Research data will be collected using the Introductory Information Form, Visual Analog Questionnaire (VAS), National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 (NCI-CTCAE v5.0) -Peripheral Neuropathy, EORTC QLQ-CIPN 20. The exercise program will start the week the first neuropathy symptom appears and continue for 8 weeks. Data will be collected in two time periods: the week of starting exercise (T1) and the 8th week after exercise (T2). Conclusion: It is thought that home-based, simple exercise practices will reduce neuropathy symptoms and improve the quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy.