Upper-limb dysfunction in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity

Upper-limb symptoms are often reported in the context of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN), but objective quantification of functional deficits is often lacking. We examined and compared a range of neurophysiological and functional assessments of the upper-limb in the assessment of CIPN severity.

Cross-sectional assessment of neurotoxic chemotherapy-treated patients was undertaken using patient-reported and clinically-graded CIPN measures. Upper-limb functional assessments comprised of assessing fine motor skills, sensory perception, and neurophysiological measures of the median nerve. Group comparisons between participants who reported absence or presence of upper-limb functional deficits were investigated.

60 participants who were 11.5 (IQR = 4.0-26.0) months post-neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment reported CIPN. 65% (n = 39) reported upper-limb CIPN symptoms. Reduction in fine motor skills, sensory perception and median nerve SNAP amplitudes were associated with higher CIPN severity. Participants who self-reported presence of upper-limb functional deficits had worse CIPN severity across all measures, compared to participants who reported no upper-limb functional deficits.

Participants who reported upper-limb symptoms and functional deficits had worse CIPN severity and quality-of-life. There is a high burden of upper-limb dysfunction long after neurotoxic chemotherapy treatment cessation. Focus on research into supportive care and rehabilitation options to improve upper-limb function is warranted to improve patient quality-of-life.