Effects of Hand and Foot Exercise Using Bergamot for Decrease Numbness in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Numbness in hands and feet is a common problem in patients receiving oxaliplatin chemotherapy. Objective: To investigate the potential benefits of kaffir lime in alleviating hand numbness, including changes in sensation before and after hand and foot exercises. Volunteer satisfaction with the intervention was also assessed. Method: A single-group comparative study was conducted to assess the levels of hand and foot numbness among patients before and after performing hand and foot exercises with kaffir lime. The study sample of 30 patients diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer currently underwent chemotherapy with oxaliplatin at the outpatient chemotherapy nursing unit of Lop Buri Cancer Hospital between March 20 and June 16, 2023. Questionnaires were utilized to assess patient satisfaction and monofilament testing to quantify numbness symptoms. The intervention involved the provision of a demonstration and a written manual outlining bergamot-based exercise. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential analysis using McNemar's test. Result: Comparison of pre- and post-exercise numbness levels revealed a statistically significant decrease (p < .05). In addition, patient satisfaction with the bergamot-based hand and foot exercises was reported to be high. Conclusion: An exercise program incorporating bergamot demonstrated a reduction in numbness among colorectal cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin chemotherapy, with high levels of patient satisfaction reported.