Buerger's Exercises and Proprioceptive Drills on Postural Stability and Foot Perfusion in Elderly Patients With Chemotherapy

NCT07756073 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Qena university
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, dose-limiting side effect of neurotoxic chemotherapy agents, characterized by sensory loss, impaired proprioception, and muscle weakness, predominantly affecting the lower limbs. These impairments significantly contribute to postural instability and increase fall risk in elderly patients. Additionally, CIPN-associated microvascular changes can compromise peripheral circulation, further exacerbating neuromotor dysfunction and balance deficits. While pharmacological options for CIPN are limited and often inadequate, exercise-based interventions have shown promise in mitigating functional impairments. Buerger's exercises, a vascular stimulation technique, are known to enhance peripheral blood flow, whereas proprioceptive drills can improve neuromuscular coordination and postural control. However, their combined effect on both postural stability and foot perfusion in elderly patients with CIPN has not been systematically studied.

Conditions

Buerger's Exercises and Proprioceptive Drills on Postural Stability and Foot Perfusion in Elderly Patients With Chemotherapy

Keywords

Buerger's Exercises - Proprioceptive Drills - Postural Stability -Foot Perfusion - Elderly Patients - Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Postural Stability Foot Perfusion

  .Postural Stability: Overall Stability Index (OSI) via Biodex Balance System SD Foot Perfusion: Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF)

  Week 8

• Pain scale (VAS) Quality of Life Index (QLI) - SCI Version

  Pain scale (VAS) The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain." Quality of Life Index (QLI) - SCI Version Comprised of 4 domains: 1. Health and functioning 2. Psychological/spiritual 3. Social and economic 4. Family.

  8 weeks

• Weight Height Body mass index

  Weight in kg, height in meter and body mass index in kg/m2

  8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Secondary Outcomes

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Intervention Group (35 participants) will receive Buerger's Exercises + Proprioceptive Drills, 3 times/week for 8 weeks: * Buerger's Exercises: * Leg elevation at 45° for 2 min until blanching * Dependent sitting for 3 min until hyperemia * Supine rest for 5 min * 3 cycles per session * Proprioceptive Drills: * Single-leg stance * Tandem stance/walking * Heel-to-toe walking * Anterior-posterior and lateral weight shifts * Mini-squats on foam * Ankle alphabet * Progressively increased difficulty Sessions supervised by trained physiotherapists.

Combination Product: Buerger's Exercises

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control Group (35 participants) will receive Standard care with educational leaflets and physical activity advice.

Combination Product: Buerger's Exercises

Interventions

Buerger's Exercises COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Buerger's Exercises + Proprioceptive Drills, 3 times/week for 8 weeks: * Buerger's Exercises: * Leg elevation at 45° for 2 min until blanching * Dependent sitting for 3 min until hyperemia * Supine rest for 5 min * 3 cycles per session * Proprioceptive Drills: * Single-leg stance * Tandem stance/walking * Heel-to-toe walking * Anterior-posterior and lateral weight shifts * Mini-squats on foam * Ankle alphabet * Progressively increased difficulty Sessions supervised by trained physiotherapists.

Control Group; Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Diagnosed with CIPN for at least 3 months
• Demonstrating impaired postural stability (BBS ≤ 48 or ≥2 falls in the past year)
• Medically cleared for exercise
• Cognitively intact (MMSE ≥ 24)
• Willing and able to give consent

You may not qualify if:

• Severe peripheral arterial disease (ABI \< 0.5)
• Severe postural hypotension or positional syncope
• Recent orthopedic procedures or fractures (past 6 months)
• Vestibular or cerebellar disorders
• Uncontrolled systemic diseases
• Cognitive impairment (MMSE \< 24)
• Concurrent participation in another structured balance or vascular program
• Lower limb ulcers or active infection
• Severe visual impairment
• Intolerance to positional exercises

Sponsors & Collaborators

• South Valley University: lead

Related Publications (2)

• Thakur A, Sharma R, Sharma SK, Thakur K, Jelly P. Effect of buerger allen exercise on foot perfusion among patient with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review & meta-analysis. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2022 Feb;16(2):102393. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102393. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

  PMID: 35085917 RESULT

• Chang CF, Chang CC, Hwang SL, Chen MY. Effects of Buerger Exercise Combined Health-Promoting Program on Peripheral Neurovasculopathy Among Community Residents at High Risk for Diabetic Foot Ulceration. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2015 Jun;12(3):145-53. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12091. Epub 2015 May 11.

  PMID: 25963925 RESULT

Related Links

• Background: Peripheral neuropathy and vasculopathy are important risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration (DFU). Buerger exercises for patients with arterial occlusive disease have previously been noted; however, current evidence to support this interve
• Aim: Buerger-Allen exercise includes set of activities like elevation, movement and rest of the lower extremities. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of BAE on foot perfusion among patient with diabetes mellitus.

Central Study Contacts

ibrahim abuzaid, Assistant professor

CONTACT

01006512160; ibrahim_ismail_2011@svu.edu.eg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of department physical therapy for cardiovascular/Respiratory disorders and Geriatrics

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 27, 2026
• First Posted: August 10, 2026
• Study Start: July 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08