Symptoms and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective: To compare symptoms and impairment in activities of daily living (ADL) between faller and non-faller patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Method: Participants were 247 cancer inpatients of the hematology-oncology department at the university hospital in Korea.

Results: Among participants investigated, 11.7% had fall experiences due toCIPN symptoms. The faller group showed higher rates of metastasis, radiotherapy, and items in ADL impairment than the non-faller group. The faller group also experienced higher degree of sleep disturbance, depression, and peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Conclusion: This study provides directional relationship between negative effects on ADL and falls in patients with CIPN. It suggests that more attention is needed to develop fall prevention programs for patients with CIPN who has history of metastasis or radiotherapy to improve their ADL capability.