2023 Volume 22 Pages 38-50
［Purpose］The purpose of this study was to clarify the symptoms that appear in the fingers of colorectal cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
［Methods］A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 54 outpatients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy at a designated cancer hospital. In addition to retrieving data from the patients’ medical records, we measured their numbness and pain, tactile sensitivity, grip strength, pinch force, chopstick-closing force, and chopstick-picking force. We also interviewed them about their lifestyle habits.
［Results］All 54 patients reported numbness and pain in their fingers, and 43 of them had chronic symptoms. Twenty-eight had reduced tactile sensitivity of their index fingertips. There was no fixed correlation between tactile sensitivity and grip strength, pinch strength, and strength in using chopsticks to pick up a sachet with rice grains (otedama). However, those with reduced tactile sensitivity had a weaker force for closing chopsticks. Regardless of tactile blunting, male participants had significantly higher grip strength and pinch force. However, no significant differences were found in their ability to handle chopsticks. In addition, seven of the 26 participants (3 males and 4 females) whose tactile sensitivity was normal had been applying nail polish as prophylaxis against neuropathy.
［Conclusion］Our results suggest that the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in the fingers of cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were characterized by chronic numbness, reduced tactile sensitivity of the fingertips, and reduced finger muscle strength during fine finger movements, such as using chopsticks.
