Evidence-Based Practice
Open Access Article

Putting Evidence Into Practice®: Evidence-Based Interventions for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Constance Visovsky

Mary Collins

Linda Abbott

Julie Aschenbrenner

Connie Hart

chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, interventions
CJON 2007, 11(6), 901-913. DOI: 10.1188/07.CJON.901-913

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) continues to be a significant, debilitating symptom resulting from the administration of neurotoxic chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer. CIPN is an important consequence of cancer treatment because of its potential impact on physical functioning and quality of life. Oncology nurses play an important role in assessing, monitoring, and educating clients about CIPN. Despite investigations concerning pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to either preventing or minimizing the neurotoxicity resulting from certain chemotherapeutic agents, evidence to support the interventions is lacking. This article presents information concerning CIPN and summarizes the evidence for pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to the prevention and treatment of CIPN.

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    References

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    Bove, L., Picardo, M., Maresca, V., Jaredolo, B., & Pace, A. (2001). A pilot study on the relation between cisplatin neuropathy and vitamin E. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research, 20, 277-280.
    Pace, A., Savarese, A., Picardo, M., Maresca, V., Pacetti, U., Del Monte, G., et al. (2003). Neuroprotective effect of vitamin E supplementation in patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21, 927-931.
    Wong, R., & Sagar, S. (2006). Acupuncture treatment for chemotherapyinduced peripheral neuropathy—A case series. Acupuncture in Medicine, 24, 87-91.
    Jiang, H., Shi, K., Li, X., Zhou, W., & Cao, Y. (2006). Clinical study on the wristankle acupuncture treatment for 30 cases of diabetic peripheral neuritis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 26, 8-12.
    Shlay, J.D., Chaloner, K., Max, M.B., Flaws, B., Reichelderfer, P., Wentworth, D., et al. (1998). Acupuncture and amitriptyline for pain due to HIV-related peripheral neuropathy. JAMA, 280, 1590-1595.
    Abuaisha, B.B., Costanzi, J.B., & Boulton, A.J. (1998). Acupuncture for the treatment of chronic painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy: A long-term study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 39, 115-121.
    Phillips, K.D., Skelton, W.D., & Hand, G.A. (2004). Effect of acupuncture administered in a group setting on pain and subjective peripheral neuropathy in persons with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10, 449-455.
    Forst, T., Nguyen, M., Forst, S., Disselhoff, B., Pohlmann, T., & Pfutzner, A. (2004). Impact of low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on symptomatic diabetic neuropathy using the new Salutaris device. Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolism, 17, 163-168.
    Lindeman, E., Leffers, P., Spaans, F., Drukker, J., Kerckhoffs, M., & Koke, A. (1995). Strength training in patients with myotonic dystrophy and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy: A randomized clinical trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 76, 612-620.
    Richardson, J.K., Sandman, D., & Vela, S. (2001). A focused exercise regime improves clinical measures of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 82, 205-209.
    Balducci, S., Iacobellis, G., Parisi, L., Di Biase, N., Calandriello, E., Leonetti, F., et al. (2006). Exercise training can modify the natural history of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 20, 216-223.
    White, C.M., Pritchard, J., & Turner-Stokes, L. (2004). Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003904. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003904.pub2
    Leonard, D.R., Farooqi, M.H., & Myers, S. (2004). Restoration of sensation, reduced pain, and improved balance in subjects with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes Care, 27, 168-172.
    Prendergast, J.J., Miranda, G., & Sanchez, M. (2004). Improvement of sensory impairment in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Endocrine Practice, 10, 24-30.
    Arnall, D.A., Nelson, A.G., Lopez, L., Sanz, M., Iversen, L., Sanz, I., et al. (2006). The restorative effects of pulsed infrared light therapy on significant loss of peripheral protective sensation in patients with long-term type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetologica, 43, 26-33.
    Cata, J.P., Cordella, J.V., Burton, A.W., Hassenbusch, S.J., Weng, H.R., & Dougherty, P.M. (2004). Spinal cord stimulation relieves chemotherapy-induced pain: A clinical case report. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 27, 72-78.
    Reichstein, L., Labrenz, S., Ziegler, D., & Martin, S. (2005). Effective treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy by high-frequency external muscle stimulation. Diabetologia, 48, 824-828.
    Paice, J.A. (2007). Peripheral neuropathy: Experimental findings, clinical approaches. Journal of Supportive Oncology, 5, 61-63.
    Armstrong, T., Almadrones, L., & Gilbert, M. (2005). Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32, 305-311.
    Marrs, J., & Newton, S. (2003). Updating your peripheral neuropathy "know how." Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 7, 299-303.