Measuring Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Children: Development of the Ped-mTNS and Pilot Study Results

The aim of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) measurement, the ped-mTNS, for use in school-aged children. After adapting an established adult measure (modified-Total Neuropathy Scale), the ped-mTNS was administered one time to 20 children ages 5-18 who were undergoing, or had recently completed, chemotherapy. The ability to complete the measurements, to be understood by school-aged children and represent their symptoms, and the frequency of signs and symptoms was assessed. The ped-mTNS was successfully completed in all children in under 10 minutes. Three children reported symptoms not covered by test items. Sixty percent (12/20) reported sensory symptoms and 55% (11/20) reported motor symptoms. On clinical examination, impairments were found in pin sensibility (30%), vibration (50%), distal muscle strength (90%), and deep tendon reflexes (95%). The mean score was 6.1 +/- 3.8 out of possible 24. The ped-mTNS is a feasible measure of CIPN and further research is warranted.