Rehabilitation Interventions to Improve Gait, Balance, Quality of Life and Fall Risk in Adults With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN): A Scoping Review

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and often persistent adverse effect of cancer treatment that contributes to sensory loss, impaired proprioception, reduced strength, gait abnormalities, decreased balance, and increased fall risk. These mobility-related impairments negatively affect function, independence, and quality of life. Although rehabilitation interventions such as therapeutic exercise, balance training, and gait training are increasingly recommended, the scope and characteristics of existing evidence targeting gait, balance, quality of life and fall risk in adults with CIPN have not been comprehensively mappedObjectiveTo systematically map and characterize the literature on rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving gait, balance, mobility, quality of life and fall risk in adults with CIPN published between 2016 and 2026.MethodsThis scoping review will follow the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. Eligible studies will include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research involving adults (>18 years) with cancer experiencing CIPN who participate in rehabilitation interventions targeting gait, balance, mobility, or fall risk. Searches will be conducted in EBSCOhost, TRIP, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL Ultimate, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PEDro. Two independent reviewers will screen studies using Rayyan, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be charted using a standardized extraction form and synthesized descriptively.ConclusionThis review will provide a comprehensive map of rehabilitation strategies for mobility impairments in adults with CIPN and identify gaps to guide future research and clinical practice.