Exploring Gua Sha Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Single Case Report and Critical Analysis

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant side effect of some chemotherapeutic agents. Effective treatment is limited. OBJECTIVES: This single patient case details gua sha as an intervention to reduce CIPN. METHODS: A 38-year-old female patient received weekly treatment of gua sha in one-hour sessions for 10 weeks. The patient completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-NTX) subscale to describe her CIPN throughout and postintervention. A research assistant measured the extent of numbness or tingling along the limb from baseline to 18 months after gua sha. Descriptive data were used to summarize this case. FINDINGS: After gua sha, the total FACT/GOG-NTX subscale score increased from 13 to 36, indicating a sevenfold greater change than the minimum clinically important difference. The range of limb numbness and tingling decreased, and the symptoms remained stable during follow-up. Gua sha showed a positive clinical effect.