Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma

<p class="p1">Studies of biotherapy-induced physiological changes are few, and systematic monitoring for neurotoxic effects are lacking. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to determine the change in peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during treatment with bio...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Constance G. Visovsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pappin Communications 2015-05-01
Series:Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
Online Access:https://canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/349
_version_ 1797319939665690624
author Constance G. Visovsky
author_facet Constance G. Visovsky
author_sort Constance G. Visovsky
collection DOAJ
description <p class="p1">Studies of biotherapy-induced physiological changes are few, and systematic monitoring for neurotoxic effects are lacking. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to determine the change in peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during treatment with biotherapy for malignant melanoma. A convenience sample of 11 participants with malignant melanoma receiving interferon-alpha had measures of peripheral nerve function measured at baseline, four and 12 weeks of treatment. Data were analyzed using plots and regression slopes to determine change over time in sensation, gait/balance, vision, hearing, vibratory sense, muscle strength, deep tendon reflexes, blood pressure, and symptom distress. Declines in hearing, sensation, vibration, and muscle strength were found. Changes in visual acuity, and orthostatic blood pressure were noted, while gait/balance remained stable. Additionally, neuropathy symptoms were associated with symptom distress. The characterization of such changes can increase our understanding of the nature of the physiological effects associated with high-dose biotherapy treatment and aid clinicians to better prepare patients for anticipated changes in function and subsequent lifestyle adjustments. These findings can be used to provide information in a larger study of this phenomenon regarding important outcomes and measurement time-points of therapy-induced neuropathy and decreasing symptom distress in patients receiving cancer treatment with biologic agents.</p><p class="p2"><span class="s1">Key words: </span>peripheral neuropathy, biotherapy, clinical, measurement</p>
first_indexed 2024-03-08T04:15:24Z
format Article
id doaj.art-36c6cedd3ae64477a5e9831ce124c9d1
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1181-912X
2368-8076
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-08T04:15:24Z
publishDate 2015-05-01
publisher Pappin Communications
record_format Article
series Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
spelling doaj.art-36c6cedd3ae64477a5e9831ce124c9d12024-02-08T16:28:55ZengPappin CommunicationsCanadian Oncology Nursing Journal1181-912X2368-80762015-05-01153161167347Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanomaConstance G. Visovsky<p class="p1">Studies of biotherapy-induced physiological changes are few, and systematic monitoring for neurotoxic effects are lacking. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to determine the change in peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during treatment with biotherapy for malignant melanoma. A convenience sample of 11 participants with malignant melanoma receiving interferon-alpha had measures of peripheral nerve function measured at baseline, four and 12 weeks of treatment. Data were analyzed using plots and regression slopes to determine change over time in sensation, gait/balance, vision, hearing, vibratory sense, muscle strength, deep tendon reflexes, blood pressure, and symptom distress. Declines in hearing, sensation, vibration, and muscle strength were found. Changes in visual acuity, and orthostatic blood pressure were noted, while gait/balance remained stable. Additionally, neuropathy symptoms were associated with symptom distress. The characterization of such changes can increase our understanding of the nature of the physiological effects associated with high-dose biotherapy treatment and aid clinicians to better prepare patients for anticipated changes in function and subsequent lifestyle adjustments. These findings can be used to provide information in a larger study of this phenomenon regarding important outcomes and measurement time-points of therapy-induced neuropathy and decreasing symptom distress in patients receiving cancer treatment with biologic agents.</p><p class="p2"><span class="s1">Key words: </span>peripheral neuropathy, biotherapy, clinical, measurement</p>https://canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/349
spellingShingle Constance G. Visovsky
Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
title Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
title_full Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
title_fullStr Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
title_full_unstemmed Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
title_short Peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
title_sort peripheral nerve function and symptom distress during biotherapy for malignant melanoma
url https://canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/349
work_keys_str_mv AT constancegvisovsky peripheralnervefunctionandsymptomdistressduringbiotherapyformalignantmelanoma