Determinants of improvement in functional abilities in peripheral neuropathy patients undergoing rehabilitation: the role of Berg Balance Scale items.

PURPOSE: This prospective observational cohort study aimed to verify whether single Berg Balance Scale (BBS) items were important determinants of improvement in functional abilities in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN). METHODS: Data were collected in 75 older patients with PN performing a standard motor rehabilitation program. Backward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to identify determinants of outcome measures. Gain in total and motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and gain in motor-FIM areas were the outcome measures. RESULTS: Among BBS items, at the end of rehabilitation, the score was higher in "sitting unsupported" (3.94 ± 0.22) and lower in "standing on one foot" (1.18 ± 1.06). The gain was higher in "standing to sitting" (1.02 ± 0.67) and "standing unsupported" (1.00 ± 1.00), and lower in "sitting unsupported" (0.22 ± 0.60) and "standing on one foot" (0.65 ± 0.77). "Standing unsupported" was the only determinant of gain in motor-FIM (beta - 0.36, p = 0.002) and gain in self-care (beta - 0.37, p = 0.002). The R2 value of the models was 0.13 and 0.14, respectively. No independent variable was a determinant of gain in total-FIM. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that "unsupported standing" is an important determinant of results of ADL rehabilitation in PN patients and indicates that ability to stand without support for a fairly long time is an essential requirement to achieve with rehabilitation higher gain levels in functional abilities in PN patients.

Yoga for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Health-related quality of life outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Yoga is a meditative movement therapy focused on mind-body awareness. The impact of yoga on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a pilot randomized wait-list controlled trial of 8 weeks of yoga (n = 21) versus wait-list control (n = 20) for CIPN in 41 breast and gynecological cancer survivors with persistent moderate to severe CIPN. HRQOL endpoints were Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The Treatment Expectancy Scale (TES) was administered at baseline. We estimated mean changes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from baseline to weeks 8 and 12 and compared arms using constrained linear mixed models. RESULTS: At week 8, HADS anxiety scores decreased -1.61 (-2.75, -0.46) in the yoga arm and -0.32 (-1.38, 0.75) points in the wait-list control arm (p = 0.099). At week 12, HADS anxiety scores decreased -1.42 (-2.57, -0.28) in yoga compared to an increase of 0.46 (-0.60, 1.53) in wait-list control (p = 0.017). There were no significant differences in HADS depression, BFI, or ISI scores between yoga and wait-list control. Baseline TES was significantly higher in yoga than in wait-list control (14.9 vs. 12.7, p = 0.019). TES was not associated with HADS anxiety reduction and HADS anxiety reduction was not associated with CIPN pain reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga may reduce anxiety in patients with CIPN. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03292328.

Type of exercise may influence postural adaptations in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional posturography measurements characterize postural instability in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), while underlying postural control mechanisms remain unclear. Taking a model-based approach can yield insights into these mechanisms. This study's aim was to characterize the modifications in postural control of CIPN patients associated with exercise in relation to the postural behavior of healthy control participants (hCON) via an exploratory approach. METHODS: Thirty-one CIPN patients were randomly assigned to two interventions (balance plus moderate endurance training vs. moderate endurance training only) and exercised twice per week over 12 weeks. Baseline data were compared to 36 matched hCONs. We recorded spontaneous sway and postural reactions to platform tilts using Optotrak and a Kistler force platform pre- and post-intervention. Data interpretation relied on a model-based parameter identification procedure. RESULTS: Spontaneous sway amplitudes were larger and postural reactions smaller, with a relative phase advance, in our pre-intervention patients than the hCONs. Post-intervention, spontaneous sway, and postural reactions were reduced and the sensory-motor ratio larger in both groups, while the postural reaction timing differed between groups. INTERPRETATION: The abnormally small postural reactions in CIPN patients before the intervention can be interpreted as the consequence of abnormally strong velocity control-a strategy modification that may serve as a prediction mechanism to compensate for the lack of timely and accurate proprioceptive signals. While both groups reduced postural sway and showed an adapted sensory-motor ratio post-intervention, the interventions seemed to trigger different velocity control strategies. This study emphasizes the need for taking a more differentiated perspective on intervention effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) number: DRKS00005419, prospectively registered on November 19, 2013.

Efficacy of Exercise Rehabilitation Program in Relieving Oxaliplatin Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neurotoxicity is common in patients with digestive malignancies receiving chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin, and there is still no effective drug to prevent or treat this complication. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients receiving chemotherapy containing oxaliplatin were included, and the relationship between chemotherapy regimens, cycles, and cumulative dose of oxaliplatin and peripheral neurotoxicity was analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups of control or intervention. Twenty-eight patients in the control group received routine chemotherapy care, and 51 patients in the intervention group underwent two-week exercise rehabilitation program. Patients' Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group - Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx), functional tests, and Brief Pain Inventory(BPI) scores as well as interference life scores were assessed before intervention and two weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: In the intervention group, 52.9% patients previously exercised regularly. The FOLFOX regimen was more common in peripheral neurotoxicity (73.4%), and the median oxaliplatin cycles for neurotoxicity was 9 (ranging from 1 to 16). The mean cumulative dose of oxaliplatin was 1080.02 ± 185.22 mg, both the cycles and cumulative dose were positively correlated with the occurrence of peripheral neurotoxicity. Compared with control, the scores of FACT/GOG-Ntx, functional tests, and BPI were significantly decreased in the intervention group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy cycles and cumulative doses were in relation with OIN  , and exercise rehabilitation program could effectively alleviate OIN.
.

Harnessing digital health to objectively assess cancer-related fatigue: The impact of fatigue on mobility performance.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is highly prevalent among cancer survivors, which may have long-term effects on physical activity and quality of life. CRF is assessed by self-report or clinical observation, which may limit timely diagnosis and management. In this study, we examined the effect of CRF on mobility performance measured by a wearable pendant sensor. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial evaluating the benefit of exercise in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CRF status was classified based on a Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) score ≤ 33. Among 28 patients (age = 65.7±9.8 years old, BMI = 26.9±4.1kg/m2, sex = 32.9%female) with database variables of interest, twenty-one subjects (75.9%) were classified as non-CRF. Mobility performance, including behavior (sedentary, light, and moderate to vigorous activity (MtV)), postures (sitting, standing, lying, and walking), and locomotion (e.g., steps, postural transitions) were measured using a validated pendant-sensor over 24-hours. Baseline psychosocial, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and motor-capacity assessments including gait (habitual speed, fast speed, and dual-task speed) and static balance were also performed. RESULTS: Both groups had similar baseline clinical and psychosocial characteristics, except for body-mass index (BMI), FACT-G, FACIT-F, and FES-I (p<0.050). The groups did not differ on motor-capacity. However, the majority of mobility performance parameters were different between groups with large to very large effect size, Cohen's d ranging from 0.91 to 1.59. Among assessed mobility performance, the largest effect sizes were observed for sedentary-behavior (d = 1.59, p = 0.006), light-activity (d = 1.48, p = 0.009), and duration of sitting+lying (d = 1.46, p = 0.016). The largest correlations between mobility performance and FACIT-F were observed for sitting+lying (rho = -0.67, p<0.001) and the number of steps per day (rho = 0.60, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that sensor-based mobility performance monitoring could be considered as a potential digital biomarker for CRF assessment. Future studies warrant evaluating utilization of mobility performance to track changes in CRF over time, response to CRF-related interventions, and earlier detection of CRF.

Efetividade e eficácia do ultrassom terapêutico na analgesia da dor neuropática de pacientes com sequela de hanseníase / Effectiveness and efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound in neuropathic pain analgesia in patients with leprosy sequelae

A Hanseníase é uma doença crônica, de evolução lenta e infectocontagiosa. Causada pelo bacilo intracelular Mycobacterium Leprae, afeta pele e nervos periféricos, possui grande potencial de gerar lesões irreversíveis, e representa um importante problema de saúde pública por ainda permanecer endêmica. Mesmo após a cura, o bacilo pode deixar antígenos persistentes, os quais estimulam processos inflamatórios recorrentes, e esses podem levar a dor neuropática, sendo esta classificada como a que mais deteriora profundamente a qualidade de vida de seus portadores, haja vista a sua tendência a cronicidade e resistência às terapias analgésicas. A fisioterapia contempla inúmeras intervenções que são empregadas para o alívio da dor sendo o ultrassom terapêutico um método com potencial efeito analgésico. Baseado nisso, esta revisão de literatura teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia e eficiência do ultrassom terapêutico sobre a percepção da dor neuropática em pacientes portadores de hanseníase. Foram realizadas pesquisas até fevereiro de 2021 nas seguintes bases de dados eletrônicas: Pubmed, Pedro, Cochrane, Embase e BVS MS, incluindo todos os modelos de artigos científicos (observacional, descritivo ou experimental), informações de livros, dissertações, monografias, teses e listas de referências resultantes das buscas. Foram encontrados apenas dois artigos e um capitulo de livro que abrangesse o tema proposto. Concluímos que evidências de baixa certeza mostram que o ultrassom terapêutico pode ser eficaz, no entanto, devido ao limitado número de estudos inseridos, necessitam-se novas pesquisas para comprovar sua efetividade e eficácia como método de alivio da dor neuropatia em pacientes com hanseníase.

Proactive Rehabilitation for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To review assessment and management approaches for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy-related physical function deficits. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed articles from PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and key studies' reference lists. CONCLUSION: Brief clinical tests (eg, gait, Timed Up and Go) can screen for neuropathy-related physical function deficits. Exercise and physical therapy may be promising treatments, but the efficacy and optimal dose of such treatments for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy are unclear. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Screening and assessment of neuropathy-associated physical function deficits should occur throughout neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment. If such deficits are identified, referral for rehabilitation (ie, physical or occupational therapy) and/or exercise interventions is warranted.

A new approach to characterize postural deficits in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and to analyze postural adaptions after an exercise intervention.

BACKGROUND: Postural instability presents a common and disabling consequence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). However, knowledge about postural behavior of CIPN patients is sparse. With this pilot study, we used a new approach to i) characterize postural impairments as compared to healthy subjects, ii) allocate possible abnormalities to a set of parameters describing sensorimotor function, and iii) evaluate the effects of a balance-based exercise intervention. METHODS: We analyzed spontaneous and externally perturbed postural control in eight CIPN patients before and after a balance-based exercise intervention by using a modification of an established postural control model. These findings were compared to 15 matched healthy subjects. RESULTS: Spontaneous sway amplitude and velocity were larger in CIPN patients compared to healthy subjects. CIPN patients' reactions to external perturbations were smaller compared to healthy subjects, indicating that patients favor vestibular over proprioceptive sensory information. The balance-based exercise intervention up-weighted proprioceptive information in patients. CONCLUSIONS: CIPN patients' major postural deficit may relate to underuse of proprioceptive information that results in a less accurate posture control as spontaneous sway results indicate. The balance-based exercise intervention is able to partially correct for this abnormality. Our study contributes to a better understanding of postural impairments in CIPN patients and suggests an effective treatment strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00004340, retrospectively registered 04 January 2013.

An Exploratory Randomized Trial of Physical Therapy for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

Background. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of taxane treatment and cannot currently be prevented or adequately treated. Physical therapy is often used for neural rehabilitation following injury but has not been evaluated in this patient population. Methods. Single-blind, randomized controlled exploratory study compared standard care to a physical therapy home program (4 visits) throughout adjuvant taxane chemotherapy for stage I-III patients with breast cancer (n = 48). Patient questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing evaluated the treatment effect throughout chemotherapy to 6 months post treatment. Nonrandomized subgroup analysis observed effect of general exercise on sensory preservation comparing those reporting moderate exercise throughout chemotherapy to those that did not exercise regularly. Clinical Trial Registration. clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02239601). Results. The treatment group showed strong trends toward less pain (odds ratio [OR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-1.01; P = .053) and pain decreased over time (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.94; P = .002). Pain pressure thresholds (P = .034) and grip dynamometry (P < .001) were improved in the treatment group. For the nonrandomized subgroup analysis, participants reporting general exercise had preservation of vibration (Left P = .001, Right P = .001) and normal heat pain thresholds (Left P = .021, Right P = .039) compared with more sedentary participants. Conclusion. Physical therapy home program may improve CIPN pain in the upper extremity for patients with breast cancer, and general exercise throughout chemotherapy treatment was observed to have correlated to preservation of sensory function. Further research is required to confirm the impact of a physical therapy home program on CIPN symptoms.

State of the art design protocol for custom made footwear for people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

Supported by evidence-based guidelines, custom-made footwear is often prescribed to people with diabetes who are at risk for ulceration. However, these guidelines do not specify the footwear design features, despite available scientific evidence for these features. We aimed to develop a design protocol to support custom-made footwear prescription for people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. The population of interest was people with diabetes who are at moderate-to-high risk of developing a foot ulcer, for whom custom-made footwear (shoes and/or insoles) can be prescribed. A group of experts from rehabilitation medicine, orthopaedic shoe technology (pedorthics) and diabetic foot research, reviewed the scientific literature and met during 12 face-to-face meetings to develop a footwear design algorithm and evidence-based pressure-relief algorithm as parts of the protocol. Consensus was reached where evidence was not available. Fourteen domains of foot pathology in combination with loss of protective sensation were specified for the footwear design algorithm and for each domain shoe-specific and insole (orthosis)-specific features were defined. Most insole-related features and some shoe-related features were evidence based, whereas most shoe-related features were consensus based. The pressure-relief algorithm was evidence based using recent footwear trial data and specifically targeted patients with a healed plantar foot ulcer. These footwear design and pressure-relief algorithms are the first of their kind and should facilitate more uniform decision making in the prescription and manufacturing of adequate shoes for moderate-to-high-risk patients, reducing variation in footwear provision and improving clinical outcome in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.

The effect of exercises and insoles on the feet in leprosy patients / O efeito de exercícios e palmilhas nos pés de pacientes com hanseníase / El efecto de ejercicios y de plantillas en los pies de pacientes con lepra

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of using customized insoles and leg and foot exercises on the feet of patients with neuropathy caused by leprosy. Thirty volunteers diagnosed with leprosy were assigned to one of three groups: (1) Exercise group (n=10): performed exercises for the intrinsic muscles of the foot; (2) Insole group (n=10): used insoles to correct foot positioning; (3) Insole and Exercise group (n=10): used insoles and performed an exercise routine. The results of the treatments were analyzed with photogrammetry using the Alcimagem® and AutoCAD® programs. Left hindfoot posture changed after treatment in the Exercise and Insole groups (hindfoot, pre versus post <0.001). We also found that combining exercise and insoles did not alter the alignment of the feet during the study's evaluation period (customized insoles and exercises, pre versus post <0.05), which suggests that follow-up for more than four months may be needed. The left hindfoot's alignment can be changed with supervised exercises and the use of insoles.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a influência do uso de palmilhas personalizadas e exercícios para perna e pés nos ângulos do antepé, retropé e arco plantar de pacientes com neuropatia causada por hanseníase. Trinta voluntários diagnosticados com hanseníase foram designados para um dos três grupos: (1) grupo exercício (n=10): realização de exercícios para pernas e pés; (2) grupo palmilha (n=10): utilização de palmilhas para corrigir o posicionamento do pé; (3) grupo palmilha e exercícios (n=10): uso de palmilhas associado a uma rotina de exercícios. O resultado dos tratamentos foi analisado por meio de fotogrametria, com os softwares Alcimagem e AutoCAD. A postura do retropé esquerdo foi modificada após o tratamento no "grupo exercício" e "grupo palmilha" (retropé, pré versus pós<0,001). Também foi observado que a combinação entre exercícios e palmilhas não alterou o alinhamento dos pés durante o período de avaliação do estudo (palmilha e exercícios, pré versus pós>0,05), o que sugere que o acompanhamento por mais de quatro meses pode ser necessário. Assim, o uso isolado de exercícios supervisionados ou de palmilhas altera o alinhamento do retropé, como aferido por fotogrametria.

RESUMEN El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la influencia del uso de plantillas personalizadas y la práctica ejercicios de piernas y pies en los ángulos del antepié, del retropié y del arco plantar de pacientes con neuropatía debido a lepra. Treinta voluntarios diagnosticados con lepra fueron asignados a uno de estos tres grupos: (1) grupo de ejercicios (n=10): hacer ejercicios de piernas y pies; (2) grupo de plantillas (n=10): utilizar plantillas para corregir la posición del pie; (3) grupo de plantillas y ejercicios (n=10): utilizar plantillas asociadas con una rutina de ejercicios. Los resultados de los tratamientos se analizaron mediante fotogrametría, con los softwares Alcimagem y AutoCAD. La postura del retropié izquierdo se modificó tras el tratamiento en el "grupo de ejercicios" y en el "grupo de plantillas" (retropié, pre versus pos <0,001). También se observó que la combinación de ejercicios y plantillas no alteró la alineación del pie durante el período de evaluación del estudio (plantilla y ejercicios, pre versus pos >0,05), lo que sugiere que puede requerirse seguimiento durante más de cuatro meses. Por lo tanto, la práctica aislada de ejercicios supervisados o el uso de plantillas altera la alineación del retropié, medido por fotogrametría.

Responsiveness to rehabilitation of balance and gait impairment in elderly with peripheral neuropathy.

Elderly people with peripheral neuropathy of the lower limbs (PNLL) demonstrate a typical balance and gait impairment because of sensory ataxia. There is evidence that rehabilitation produces important gains on balance and gait. However, responsiveness to rehabilitation of balance and gait measures is unknown in PNLL. Aim of the current work is to evaluate the responsiveness to rehabilitation of balance, gait and sensory ataxia measures in elderly with PNLL. Twenty-five elderly with PNLL attending physiotherapy and occupational therapy during inpatient rehabilitation were recruited. Balance and gait measures (including static posturography, TUG test and the 10 m walking test) were administered on admission and discharge. An accelerometer secured to the trunk was used for TUG recording and static balance assessment. Static balance was tested with open and closed eyes, so as to assess sensory ataxia. Following rehabilitation, patients improved gait [admission vs discharge, mean(SD): 0.86(0.33) vs 0.98(0.32) m/s], TUG [18.7(7.8) vs 15.1(5.2) s] and turning [46.2(15.3) vs 53.3(15.3) °/s]. However, none of 12 static balance parameters derived from trunk acceleration significantly changed. Principal component analysis showed that before training, eyes closed and eyes open balance correlated with orthogonal components (one and two vs. three and four). After training, eyes open and eyes closed balance were more similar to each other being both correlated with component one. Responsiveness to rehabilitation is larger for gait than static balance measured by trunk acceleration. However, exercise can also have a beneficial effect on sensory ataxia by making eyes closed balance more similar to eyes open balance.

Integrative studies to design and validate wearable footwear among neuropathic patients.

Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels leads to diabetic neuropathy, which is usually develops slowly. Damaged nerves stop sending messages or may send message slowly at the wrong times. The propsed model is an insole for individuals with peripheral neuropathy conditions, where the peak plantar pressure value is measured at specified locations of the foot by means of a pressure sensor, which can be accessed via  a mobile applications; Simultaneously, a stimulation is given at acupressure points of the foot to relieve pain at definite intervals of time, based on the signals from the controller. A controller is being used to perform these operations which will be transmitted to the mobile application via Bluetooth terminal.

It's never too late - balance and endurance training improves functional performance, quality of life, and alleviates neuropathic symptoms in cancer survivors suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can affect functional performance and quality of life considerably. Since balance training has proven to enhance physical function, it might be a promising strategy to manage CIPN-induced functional impairments. METHODS: Fifty cancer survivors with persisting CIPN after finishing their treatment were randomly allocated to an intervention (IG) or active control group (CG). The IG did endurance plus balance training, the CG only endurance training (twice weekly over 12 weeks). Pre- and post-assessments included functional performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, vibration sense, and self-reported CIPN symptoms (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20). RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses (n = 41) did not reveal a significant group difference (CG minus IG) for sway path in semi-tandem stance after intervention (primary endpoint), adjusted for baseline. However, our per-protocol analysis of 37 patients with training compliance ≥70% revealed: the IG reduced their sway path during semi-tandem stance (- 76 mm, 95% CI -141 - -17; CG: -6 mm, 95% CI -52 - 50), improved the duration standing on one leg on instable surface (11 s, 95% CI 8-17; CG: 0 s, 95%CI 0-5) and reported decreased motor symptoms (-8points, 95% CI -18 - 0; CG: -2points 95% CI -6 - 2). Both groups reported reduced overall- (IG: -10points, 95% CI -17 - -4; CG: -6points, 95% CI -11 - -1) and sensory symptoms (IG: -7points, 95% CI -15 - 0; CG: -7points, 95% CI -15 - 0), while only the CG exhibited objectively better vibration sense (knuckle: 0.8points, 95% CI 0.3-1.3; IG: 0.0points, 95% CI -1.1 - 0.9; patella: 1.0points, 95% CI 0.4-1.6: IG: -0.8points, 95% CI -0.2 - 0.0). Furthermore, maximum power output during cardiopulmonary exercise test increased in both groups (IG and CG: 0.1 W/kg, 95% CI 0.0-0.2), but only the CG improved their jump height (2 cm, 95% CI 0.5-3.5; IG: 1 cm, 95% CI -0.4 - 3.2). CONCLUSION: We suppose that endurance training induced a reduction in sensory symptoms in both groups, while balance training additionally improved patients' functional status. This additional functional effect might reflect the IG's superiority in the CIPN20 motor score. Both exercises provide a clear and relevant benefit for patients with CIPN. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) number: DRKS00005419 , prospectively registered on November 19, 2013.

Winged scapula caused by dorsal scapular neuropathy combined with suprascapular neuropathy: A case report.

RATIONALE: Scapular winging is caused by neuromuscular dysfunction of shoulder stabilizer muscles. Clinically, a winged scapula can be easily diagnosed by typical physical findings. We report a case of atypical winged scapula caused by dorsal scapular neuropathy combined with suprascapular neuropathy, which has rarely been reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 25-year-old right-handed male was admitted to the clinic due to right arm weakness for 1 year. On physical examination, right winged scapula with medially rotated inferior angle was observed on flexion. DIAGNOSES: Under the diagnostic impression of a winged scapula due to long thoracic nerve injury based on physical examination, electrodiagnostic study was performed. However, the results showed right dorsal scapular neuropathy combined with suprascapular neuropathy. INTERVENTIONS: Neck and right shoulder MRI were also performed to rule out other causes of winged scapula, but these showed only a partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff tendon. The patient received rehabilitation. OUTCOMES: The symptoms have not improved. LESSONS: In this case, combined suprascapular neuropathy might contribute to scapular winging and can confuse the diagnosis of winged scapula based on physical findings. This is the first report that indicates suprascapular neuropathy as a contributing factor of scapular winging.

Whole body vibration exercise in the management of cancer therapy-related morbidities: A systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise in the management of cancer therapy-related morbidities. The PubMED and PEDro databases were used to access publications published in English about the use of whole body vibration (WBV) exercises in cancer patients until February 22nd 2017. The studies included were classified according to the level of evidence (LE) by the National Health and Medical Research Council Hierarchy of evidence and the methodological quality (MQ) by the PEDro scale. The four included studies (2 of them with "high" LE-II and MQ) were performed in patients with different types of cancer (i.e. breast, lung, prostate, solid or hematological), treated with WBV exercise to counteract the cancer therapy-related morbidities. The variables evaluated were muscle activity, subjective rate of perceived exertion, exercise capacity, muscle strength, quality of life, resting urinary incontinence and severity of peripheral neuropathy. Although WBV exercise appears to be a potential treatment procedure of cancer therapy-related morbidities, further additional studies are required to determine specific and tailored protocols to be used in the different stages of the disease.

Effectiveness of aquatic versus land physiotherapy in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects on gait and balance of aquatic physiotherapy versus on-land training, in the context of an inpatient rehabilitation treatment tailored for peripheral neuropathies. DESIGN: Parallel-group, single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Consecutive patients affected by peripheral neuropathy admitted in our Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received a four-week rehabilitation program composed by daily sessions of conventional physiotherapy and three sessions/week of specific treatment (aquatic vs. on-land). MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were Berg Balance Scale and Dynamic Gait Index. Secondary outcome measures were Neuropathic Pain Scale, Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Functional Ambulation Classification, Conley Scale and Medical Research Council Scale score for the strength of hip and ankle flexor and extensor muscles. For each scale, we calculated the difference between the scores at discharge and admission and compared it between the two groups. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled: 21 in the water-based rehabilitation group and 19 in the land-based one. Patients were similar between groups. When comparing the groups, we found that "in-water" patients had a significant better improvement in the Dynamic Gait Index score (6.00 (4.00, 7.25) vs. 4.00 (1.25, 6.00), P = 0.0433). On the opposite, the "on-land" group showed a better improvement of the Functional Ambulation Classification score (1.0 (0.75, 1.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0, 2.0), P = 0.0386). CONCLUSION: Aquatic physiotherapy showed an effect comparable to the land-based rehabilitation on gait and balance dysfunctions of neuropathic patients.