Randomized clinical trial quantifying the effectiveness of a self-monitoring intervention on cancer patients with peripheral neuropathy: Quantitative study

Abstract Purpose: Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is a highly distressing condition that has no effective or helpful pharmacotherapy, alongside no established non-pharmacological treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop supportive care. While self-monitoring has been verified as an effective management method, it has not been studied as a mode of managing CIPN. This study quantified the effectiveness of a self-monitoring intervention for the management of persistent CIPN.Methods: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted wherein the participants were using Taxanes or platinum-based anticancer drugs in an outpatient setting. They were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG) (n=32) or a self-monitoring group (SMG) (n=33), wherein the participants recorded their symptoms daily, goals were set in collaboration with the researcher, and feedback (behavioral approval and modification, emotional support) was provided twice every three weeks. The study lasted for six weeks, and the control group received conventional nursing support. Self-management ability, self-efficacy, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scores were used for evaluation; ANOVA analysis was conducted.Results: There was an interaction effect between the CG and SMG regarding self-efficacy scores. Scores were significantly higher in the SMG than in the CG after three weeks. Quality of life (QOL) scores were also higher in the SMG than in the CG. Conclusions: The self-monitoring intervention maintained the participants’ self-efficacy and QOL. This suggested its effectiveness on patients with peripheral neuropathy.Implications for Cancer Survivors: Self-monitoring interventions enable the maintenance of self-efficacy and QOL for participants associated with CIPN.