Foot function in patients with neuropathy following chemotherapy

Neuropathy is a common and underestimated side effect of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. It develops during chemotherapy and can remain a lifelong complication. Neuropathy can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain and/or muscle weakness in the feet. This can lead to problems with walking, maintaining balance, and carrying out activities of daily living. At present, there is no effective treatment for neuropathy. An exercise programme could help to reduce these symptoms. Sometimes, adapted footwear or podiatric insoles are also used. However, we do not know how best to apply these treatments. That is why we need to learn more about how neuropathy affects foot function. We will then have a better understanding of how problems with walking, maintaining balance and carrying out activities arise, and how we can treat these problems.

We are conducting a cross-sectional study at the Antonie van Leeuwenhoek Hospital/Netherlands Cancer Institute involving breast cancer patients with neuropathy following chemotherapy. We are assessing various foot-related characteristics, such as muscle strength, range of motion and postural abnormalities, and investigating how these relate to the limitations these patients experience in their daily lives.

All the data for this study have been collected; the researchers are currently carrying out the analyses.

Podiatry, breast cancer, feet, neuropathy, chemotherapy

Collaborating partners: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital/Netherlands Cancer Institute

Funding bodies: Rondom Podotherapeuten

Link to website: https://www.nki.nl/research/research-groups/martijn-stuiver/our-research/locate/