Correlation Between the Trajectory of the Center of Pressure and Thermography of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate potential the stabilometric parameters of baropodometry with the superficial temperature of the legs of cancer patients during and after treatment. Methods: This study included 30 volunteers of both sexes, divided into the following groups: chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (n = 15; age = 57.13 +/- 16.74 years) and cancer group without current treatment (n = 15; age = 63.29 +/- 7.34 years). They were assessed for superficial temperature of the legs using infrared thermography with anterior and posterior views. Assessment of postural balance was conducted using a baropodometer, in 2 conditions-participants' open and closed eyes-to obtain the center of pressure (COP) of anteroposterior displacement, center of pressure of mediolateral displacement (COP-ML), and center of pressure of displacement area. Results: When their eyes were open, the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group presented a high correlation between the displacement of the ML and the surface anterior temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.578; P = .030; left: r = 0.619; P = .018) and posterior region of the right leg (r = 0.571; P = .033), and they presented a high correlation between COP with anterior surface temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.585; P = .028; left: r = 0.540; P = .046). When patients' eyes were closed, no correlation was found between the thermography and the stabilometric parameters evaluated. Conclusion: During the chemotherapy-radiotherapy, cancer patients present ML and COP displacement that correlates with infrared thermography evaluation when their eyes are open.