Gait variability is altered in cancer survivors with neuropathy

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine differences in gait in cancer survivors with and without neuropathy and healthy controls. Nine cancer survivors with neuropathy, 8 without neuropathy, and 12 healthy controls walked at their normal pace across a walkway. Gait speed, step length, and step width mean and standard deviation were extracted. There were no main effects for gait speed. Cancer survivors with neuropathy had greater step width variability and less step length variability than healthy controls. Damage to peripheral nerves in cancer survivors may result in a lack of control of gait. Gait should be examined in cancer survivors with neuropathy symptoms.