NCT07368439

Effect of Feedback-Based Balance Training on Balance and Gait in Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Effects of Feedback-Based Balance Training on Balance and Gait Performance in Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN): A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Sponsor: King Edward Medical University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 30 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common complication of cancer treatment that can cause numbness, tingling, pain, balance problems, and difficulty walking. These symptoms may increase the risk of falls and reduce independence and quality of life in cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to determine whether adding feedback-based balance training to conventional physiotherapy improves balance and walking ability in cancer patients with CIPN. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive conventional physiotherapy along with feedback-based balance and gait training, while the other group will receive conventional physiotherapy alone. The intervention will be provided twice per week for four weeks. Balance, gait performance, neuropathy symptoms, and fear of falling will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized clinical outcome measures. The findings of this study may help identify effective rehabilitation strategies to improve balance and mobility in cancer patients affected by chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Detailed description

This study is a single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of feedback-based balance training on balance and gait performance in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Eligible participants will be adults aged 30 to 60 years with a diagnosis of breast, rectal, or stomach cancer who have developed peripheral neuropathy following neurotoxic chemotherapy. Participants must be able to walk at least six meters independently and demonstrate clinically relevant neuropathy symptoms as measured by the EORTC CIPN20 questionnaire. Individuals with other causes of peripheral neuropathy, significant neurological disorders, severe visual impairment, or musculoskeletal conditions affecting balance will be excluded. A total of 70 participants will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. The experimental group will receive conventional physiotherapy combined with feedback-based balance and gait training, while the control group will receive conventional physiotherapy alone. Randomization will be performed using a simple random allocation method. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. The intervention will be delivered twice weekly for four weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. Feedback-based balance training will include task-oriented balance and gait activities incorporating visual and verbal feedback, mirror-based exercises, and functional gait tasks designed to challenge postural control and coordination. Conventional physiotherapy will include strengthening, flexibility, and general balance exercises. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the four-week intervention. Primary outcomes include balance performance measured using the Berg Balance Scale and gait performance measured by walking speed. Secondary outcomes include neuropathy-related symptoms assessed using the EORTC CIPN20 questionnaire and fear of falling assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). This study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of feedback-based balance training as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy for improving balance, gait, and functional confidence in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Conditions

• Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Feedback-Based Balance and Gait Training	Feedback-based balance and gait training will include structured, task-oriented balance and walking activities designed to challenge postural control and coordination. The intervention will incorporate visual and verbal feedback provided by the therapist, mirror-based exercises, and functional gait tasks such as obstacle negotiation and controlled walking activities. Training will be supervised and delivered in sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes, twice per week for four weeks. This intervention will be provided in addition to conventional physiotherapy.
OTHER	Conventional Physiotherapy	Conventional physiotherapy will include standard rehabilitation exercises commonly used for patients with peripheral neuropathy, such as strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, and general balance training. Sessions will be supervised by a physiotherapist and delivered for approximately 30 minutes per session, twice per week for four weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-29
• Primary completion: 2026-03-29
• Completion: 2026-04-29
• First posted: 2026-01-26
• Last updated: 2026-01-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan