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Prevention of Chemotherapy-Related Polyneuropathy Via Sensorimotor Exercise Training

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Exercise
Chemotherapy-induced Polyneuropathy
Registration Number
NCT02871284
Lead Sponsor
German Cancer Research Center
Brief Summary

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) as a side effect of chemotherapy negatively affects patients' quality of life and may lead to treatment disturbances. CIPN is frequently recorded in patients treated with alkylating platinum-based drugs, antitubulins including the taxanes and vinca alkaloids, and other drugs including suramin, thalidomide, lenalidomide and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, representing one of the most severe and potentially dose-limiting non-hematological toxic effects. Sufficient treatment options or preventive measures are lacking.

There is evidence that physical activity strategies are able to address existing CIPN symptoms and potentially increase quality of life in affected patients. CIPN symptoms involves restrictions of sensory and sometimes motor modalities, for example, deficits in plantar perception and dysfunction of postural control and one study in type II diabetes patients also suggested that structured exercise might have a preventive potential with regard to peripheral neuropathy incidence.

Based on these findings, we aim to investigate the preventive potential of a sensorimotor intervention vs. machine-based resistance training vs. usual care (wait-list control group) in a randomized controlled three-arm intervention trial among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with high risk for CIPN. On the basis of power calculations, the goal is to include 82 patients per intervention arm resulting in a total patients number to be enrolled of n=246. CIPN symptoms will be assessed objectively via comprehensive clinical and electrodiagnostic examinations (Total Neuropathy Scale; TNS-reduced) and subjectively via questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 \& FACT-GOG-Ntx, EORTC QLQ-C30). Additionally CIPN and the effectiveness of the selected interventions will be objectively evaluated by spectral analysis of Centre of Pressure (COP) variations. Further key secondary endpoints are: physical performance, sleep quality and chemotherapy compliance.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
170
Inclusion Criteria

diagnosed with cancer and assigned to receive a chemotherapeutic regimen containing at least one of the following agents:

  • a platinum analog, e.g., cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin
  • a vinca alkaloid, e.g., vincristine
  • a taxane, e.g., paclitaxel, docetaxel
  • suramin
  • thalidomide or lenalidomide
  • bortezomib

Physical capability that allows the performance of the training program implemented within the experimental intervention or the control intervention arm

Exclusion Criteria
  • Known polyneuropathy of any kind or any polyneuropathic signs or symptoms at baseline
  • Abnormal electroneurographic findings at baseline
  • Known metastasis to the central or peripheral nervous system
  • Any physical or mental handicap that would hamper the performance of the training program implemented within the intervention arms
  • Family history positive for any hereditary polyneuropathy
  • Known history of alcohol or illegal drug abuse or any constellation of lab values suggesting alcoholism

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Total Neuropathy Scale (TNS)up to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

The TNS is based on symptoms, signs and basic instrumental evaluations and provides a much larger range of scoring values (0 - 40) than common oncological toxicity scales such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria (ranging from 0 - 4, cf. http://ctep.cancer.gov/forms), thus allowing the severity of CIPN to be graded more precisely. The TNS has so far been used to assess the neurotoxicity of various CIPN-relevant chemotherapeutic agents, and its results are clearly correlated with the clinically relevant results of NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, Ajani's and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group toxicity scales, which are commonly used by oncologists.28-32 Within the PIC-Study the TNS-reduced will the primary endpoint. The TNS-reduced score excludes QST (quantitative sensory testing) vibration testing resulting in a TNS scale from 0-36.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
EORTC QLQ-C30up to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

QoL will be assessed with the validated 30-item self-assessment questionnaire of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30, version 3.0). It includes five multi-item functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social function), three multi-item symptom scales (fatigue, pain, nausea/vomiting), and six single items assessing further symptoms (dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea) and financial difficulties.

Centre of Pressure (COP)up to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

total COP displacement; mean velocity (anterior-posterior; medial-lateral) and frequency. This is just one assessement with various outcome variables

FACT-GOG-Ntxprior to each Chemotherapy cycle within the first 24 weeks (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

The FACT-GOG-Ntx is an eleven-item scale that evaluates symptoms and concerns associated specifically with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The questionnaire has been validated, ranges from zero to 44 with higher scores indicating increased CIPN symptoms and has been used in various clinical trials.

Strength Performanceup to week 24

Isometric (in four different joint angle positions) and isokinetic (at 60° angle speed) muscle capacity is measured with the Isomed 2000® diagnostic module. The protocol includes testing of representative muscles groups for upper (elbow flexors/extensors) and lower extremity (knee extensors/flexors) and is currently well established in different ongoing and finished studies in our unit.

EORTC QLQ-CIPN20prior to each Chemotherapy cycle within the first 24 weeks (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

The EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 is a 20-item quality of life questionnaire, which has been developed to elicit patients' experience of symptoms and functional limitations related to CIPN. The CIPN20 has three subscales: a sensory, motor, and autonomic subscale. In combination with the more classical, physician-based clinical rating scales, the CIPN20 should yield a more complete picture of the nature, frequency, and severity of CIPN in a wide range of oncology patient populations. This phase IV questionnaire has been field tested in a large international clinical trial and the data are currently being analyzed.

Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI)up to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

Fatigue will be assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) which is a 20-item, multidimensional self-assessment questionnaire that has been validated for a German-speaking population. It covers five different dimensions of fatigue (general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue). Scores are derived by summing the answers (five-stage scale) of the appropriate items. The MFI has been used to assess fatigue in a variety of cancer patient studies, and psychometric properties of this instrument have been classified as satisfying or good.

Cardiopulmonary Fitnessup to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

Maximal endurance performance (VO2peak) is measured by performing a maximal bicycle ergometer test (CPET) with a quasi-ramp protocol starting at 20 watts and increasing by 10 watts every minute until volitional exhaustion.

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)up to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

Sleep quality and sleep problems will be assessed with the validated and frequently used Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing Physical Activityup to week 24 (and 3 & 6 month follow up)

Physical activity behavior (PA) in the domains of commuting activity, leisure time activities such as cycling, walking, and sports, household and occupational activity will be assessed via a standardized and validated questionnaire, the Short QUestionnaire to ASsess Health-enhancing PA (SQUASH) which has the advantage that it is short and easy to complete.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Center for Tumor Diseases

🇩🇪

Heidelberg, Germany

National Center for Tumor Diseases
🇩🇪Heidelberg, Germany
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