Neurological Outcomes of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects the risk of falls and physical function in patients with cancer.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed databases for articles published from January 1950 to April 2022. Seven review authors retrieved studies using predetermined eligibility criteria, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality.

Results: Nine studies were included in the analysis. Patients with CIPN had a significantly higher risk of falls than those without CIPN (risk ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.18-1.62). Patients with CIPN had lower grip strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] =-0.42, 95% CIs = -0.70 to -0.14,  = .003), longer chair stand time (SMD = 0.56, 95% CIs = -0.01 to 1.17,  = .05), worse timed up and go test time (SMD = 0.79, 95% CIs = 0.41 to 1.17,  < .0001), and lower mean Fullerton Advanced Balance scale score (SMD = -0.81, 95% CIs = -1.27 to -0.36,  = .005) than patients without CIPN. There were no significant differences in gait speed ( = .38) or Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale score ( = .09) between patients with and without CIPN.

Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with CIPN are prone to falls and impaired balance function and muscle strength.