Rapid Assessment of Painful Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathy (RAPCIN)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Rapid Assessment of Painful Chemotheraoy Induced Neuropathy (RAPCIN) - A preliminary feasibility study to assess recruitment from a haematology outpatient clinic in Leeds and data collection strategy.
IRAS ID
152378
Contact name
Michael Bennett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Unviersity of Leeds
Research summary
Nerve damage (neuropathy) affects between 60-100% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Myeloma patients are at particularly high risk from chemotherapy induced neuropathy due to the types of chemotherapy drugs that are used and the long duration for which they are given. For the majority of myeloma patients, symptoms of chemotherapy induced neuropathy are mild to moderate pins and needles and numbness in their fingers and toes which resolve once their treatment has finished. However, for approximately 10-20% of myeloma patients their symptoms of neuropathy are painfully debilitating and lead to a reduction in chemotherapy or stopping treatment altogether. This can limit the effects of chemotherapy and impact on patient's survival.
We know that pre-existing non-painful neuropathy is a risk factor for developing painful neuropathy. Detecting non-painful neuropathy early can prevent painful neuropathies from developing by modifying the way cancer treatments are given. However, there are no simple bedside tests that can quickly and easily help healthcare professionals detect the early signs of neuropathy. Our long-term goal is to develop and validate a new bedside test to detect neuropathy and compare it against a gold standard laboratory test.
Prior to developing this new bedside test, it is necessary to undertake a preliminary feasibility study to gather initial data on the acceptability of our proposed study procedures in a small group of myeloma patients. The gold standard laboratory test for neuropathy is a neurological examination to assess the functioning of patients’ sensory nerves. Patients’ responses to sensory stimuli, such as light-touch, changes in temperature (cool, warm, cold, and hot), pin-prick and vibration are recorded and compared between an area of pain (or altered sensation) and an area not affected by pain (or altered sensation). These tests have been extensively validated in both healthy and patient populations; however, to inform the design of our future study it is necessary to assess the acceptability of these procedures in a population of myeloma patients.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0180
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion