Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31046719›Full record

Trial reportBMC cancer2019

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.

S Kneis, A Wehrle, J Müller, C Maurer, G Ihorst, A Gollhofer, H Bertz

Open access · goldAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC cancer, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 62 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
62citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
5.2field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

62 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 116 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. Pooled it
  6. Pooled it
  7. Pooled it
  8. Pooled it
  9. Pooled it
  10. Pooled it
  11. Trial
  12. Trial
  13. Trial
  14. Trial
  15. Trial
  16. Trial
  17. Trial
  18. Article
  19. Incidence and associated factors of falls in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a scoping review and evidence mapping.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  20. Chronic Pain in the Cancer Survivor.Current pain and headache reports · 2025
    Review

2 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

S KneisDepartment of Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
A WehrleInstitute for Exercise- and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2436-7782
J MüllerDepartment of Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.
C MaurerDepartment of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
G IhorstClinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
A GollhoferDepartment of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
H BertzDepartment of Medicine I, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstr. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany. hartmut.bertz@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
University of Freiburg · DE

Funding

Janssen-Cilag Gmbh 26866138MMY4065
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundChemotherapy-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.

methodsFifty 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).

resultsIntention-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).

conclusionWe 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 registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) number: DRKS00005419 , prospectively registered on November 19, 2013.

Indexed as

AdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntineoplastic AgentsCancer SurvivorsCardiorespiratory FitnessDrug TherapyEndurance TrainingFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPeripheral Nervous System DiseasesQuality of LifeTreatment OutcomeAntineoplastic AgentsNeuromuscular adaptationPeripheral nervous system diseasesPostural balanceQuality of lifeSomatosensory disorders, exercise therapy

Identifiers

PMID31046719
PMCPMC6498676
OpenAlexW2947078325

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.