Sense-checking the approach to quantitative sensory testing to detect chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sensory Physiology

Background:

• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) presents with Quantitative Sensory Test (QST) abnormalities.
• Current QST methods are time-consuming, require expertise, and are costly, hindering clinical adoption.
• Longitudinal QST is needed for early CIPN detection but is not feasible in routine practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reliable, efficient, and sensitive sensory testing method for CIPN.
• To identify optimal body sites and modalities for QST.
• To establish a framework for tracking sensory function in at-risk patients.

Main Methods:

• Selected thermal and vibration detection thresholds as QST parameters.
• Conducted iterative experiments to determine the optimal body test site, identifying the thenar eminence.
• Developed a novel vibration testing protocol using a linear resonant actuator.

Main Results:

• The thenar eminence demonstrated higher sensitivity and lower variance compared to the feet for sensory testing.
• Significant differences in thermal thresholds were found between healthy individuals and those with CIPN at the thenar eminence.
• The novel vibration protocol was sensitive to age-related differences, body site variations, and experimentally induced sensory loss.

Conclusions:

• A streamlined QST framework using the thenar eminence and reduced modalities can efficiently track multifibre sensory function.
• This approach facilitates early detection and monitoring of CIPN.
• The developed method addresses limitations of traditional QST, paving the way for clinical integration.