Physiotherapy intervention on changes in post-chemotherapy sensibility with taxanes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the presence of changes in post-chemotherapy sensibility with Taxane and the efficiency of a physiotherapy intervention that aims at the improvement of this condition. METHODS: We conducted an uncontrolled, longitudinal quantitative and prospective study on 23 patients. Four were not included in the study for not showing changes in sensibility or having a skin condition that rendered the evaluation impossible. The patients responded to the McGill and FACT G-Taxane questionnaires after the sensibility evaluation with a Semmes-Weinstein esthesiometer, an intervention session using a Peridell® therapeutic massager and a subsequent sensibility revaluation. RESULTS: Two regions with the best responses to the intervention were the dermatomes L5 and S1, with initial means of 5.33 and 5.53 and final means of 5.64 and 5.78, respectively (p = 0.012 e 0.020). The general analysis for both superior and inferior limbs showed an increase in the means, with an initial mean of 5.69 and a final mean of 5.81 (p = <0.001). There was a negative correlation between FACT G-Taxane and the McGill Questionnaire (-0.738 e p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: Vibratory stimulus of Peridell® therapeutic massager showed a significant improvement of changes in sensibility on the region of the dermatomes L5 and S1, especially on milder changes. The correlation between FACT G-Taxane and the McGill questionnaire suggests that the more pain the patient feels, there is less life quality and there are more symptoms of toxicity.