CBD Plus Exercise Showed Promise for Chemotherapy-Induced Nerve Damage in Cancer Survivors | Research

The takeaway

In 27 cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, CBD alone improved nerve symptoms and physical function, and adding exercise further enhanced benefits for pain, mobility, and quality of life.

Oncologists, cancer survivors with peripheral neuropathy, physical therapists, and integrative medicine practitioners.

What the researchers found

After 2 months of CBD alone (up to 300 mg/day), medium effect sizes were observed for neuropathy symptoms (d=0.62), perceived physical function (d=0.62), and hand grip strength (r=0.401). Adding multi-modal exercise for 2 more months produced additional improvements in pain (d=0.526), neuropathy symptoms (d=0.862), and multiple functional measures.

Why it matters

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy affects up to 70% of cancer patients and has few effective treatments. This study suggests CBD alone and especially CBD combined with exercise could improve both symptoms and physical function for cancer survivors.

The numbers in context

27 cancer survivors. CBD up to 300 mg/day. After CBD alone (2 months): neuropathy d=0.62, physical function d=0.62, grip strength r=0.401. After adding exercise (2 more months): neuropathy d=0.862, pain d=0.526, overall QoL d=1.03.

How the study worked

Open-label interventional study with 27 cancer survivors with CIPN. Two consecutive 2-month phases: CBD only (up to 300 mg/day) followed by CBD plus multi-modal exercise. Assessed with painDETECT, FACT-GOG-Ntx-13, gait speed, timed up and go, 9-hole peg test, grip strength, and sit-to-stand test.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample (n=27), open-label with no placebo control. Sequential design (CBD first, then CBD+exercise) means exercise effects cannot be isolated from continued CBD use. No blinding. Effect sizes had wide confidence intervals.

How to read the evidence

Small open-label study without randomization or blinding. Promising effect sizes but wide confidence intervals and no control group.

When this study was published

Published 2025.

The bigger picture

CIPN is one of the most debilitating long-term side effects of chemotherapy, often persisting years after treatment ends. A non-opioid, non-pharmaceutical approach combining CBD with exercise could offer cancer survivors a safer management strategy.

Questions still open

Would a randomized controlled trial confirm these promising results? Is CBD or exercise the primary driver of improvement? What is the optimal CBD dose for neuropathy? Would longer treatment produce greater benefits?

Common questions

Can CBD help with chemotherapy nerve damage?

This small study showed promising improvements in neuropathy symptoms with CBD alone and even better results when exercise was added. However, without a placebo-controlled trial, we cannot be certain CBD was responsible for the improvements.

How much CBD was used?

Participants took up to 300 mg/day of CBD orally. The dose was adjustable within the study protocol. This is a relatively high dose compared to typical consumer products.

Read the original research

Cannabidiol and multi-modal exercise for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(7), 534

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Vigano, MariaLuisa; Kubal, Sarah; Habib, Sarah; Samarani, Suzanne; Kasvis, Popi; Koudieh, Nebras; Kilgour, Robert; Farzin, Houman; Ahmad, Ali; Vigano, Antonio; Costiniuk, Cecilia T. (2025). Cannabidiol and multi-modal exercise for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors.. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(7), 534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09553-z