Assessing Fine Motor and Sensory Functions In Patients With Breast Cancer At Risk for Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Abstract Purpose: This study was aimed to assess potential Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) related motor and sensorial deficits in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. This study was registered to Clinical Trials with the following unique number: NCT04799080.Methods: 27 female patients (Mean age: 51.59±10.55 year) were assessed in three different time points as follows: T1 (before chemotherapy), T2 (interim analysis), and T3 (completion of chemotherapy). Motor function was assessed with handgrip strength (HGS) and peripheral muscle strength (PMS). Semmens Weinstein Monofilament Test was used to assess the potential sensory loss. Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test (MMDT) was used to assess fine motor function. Fatigue was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Module Cancer Related Fatigue (EORTC-QLQ-FA12)Results: HGS was not found significant among all three assessment time points (F (2,52) =0.590, p=0.558). PMS was found significant (F (2,52) =4.058, p=0.023). Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed that PMS was significantly decreased between T1 and T2 (170.38±30.79 N vs 154.41±23.79 N, mean difference=15.972, p=0.046, respectively). Cutaneous sensory tactile function (p>0.05) and MMDT (F (2,52) =0.789, p=0.460) did not change significantly from T1 through T3. In T3, fatigue and PMS was found significantly correlated (r=-0.636, p=0.002).Conclusions: CIPN related problems affect a great number of cancer survivors. Establishing knowledge and awareness associated with CIPN as well as its early recognition and detection might improve patient-centered clinical outcomes in oncology setting.