A Case Study of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation in Ovarian Cancer: Motion Therapy and Psychological Approaches for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy

Abstract

This case study evaluates the impact of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach combining Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) and
psychological motion therapy on an ovarian cancer patient having chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The patient, U.B, had a five-week intervention targeted at improving physical functioning, lowering neuropathic pain, and raising overall quality of life. Baseline assessments included tests of grip strength, knee and shoulder flexion, psychological well-being using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), neuropathic pain using the DN4 scale, and quality of life using the EORTC QLQ-C30. The intervention comprised weekly sessions integrating DMT and psychological approaches, followed by weekly examinations to track development. Results demonstrated considerable increases in physical functioning, with grip strength increasing by 4 kg in both hands and notable advances in knee and shoulder flexion. Psychological well-being showed great progress, with HADS ratings for anxiety and depression falling significantly. The DN4 neuropathic pain score reduced from 8 to 5, showing a considerable reduction in pain. Quality of life metrics improved across several areas, including physical activities, work and leisure, and general health. The overall health score climbed from 4 to 6, while the quality-of-life score improved from 3 to 5. This study illustrates the usefulness of a holistic rehabilitation approach in treating CIPN and enhancing the quality of life for ovarian cancer patients. The confluence of physical and psychological therapy offers a complete strategy for treating the numerous issues associated with CIPN. These findings imply that multidisciplinary therapies should be used in cancer rehabilitation programs to enhance patient outcomes. Further study with larger samples and randomized controlled trials is necessary to validate these results and explore the long-term advantages of such therapies.