Kinematic evaluation for impairment of skilled hand function in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) usually affects both sensory and motor function of hands and feet, resulting in impaired skilled hand function (e.g., typing a keyboard). However, quantitative and objective evaluations for this condition have not been established.

Purpose of the study: We evaluated skilled hand function using a kinematic analysis and investigated relationships among hand kinematic function and the clinical sensory and motor features of CIPN.

Study designs: Clinical measurement.

Methods: Twelve CIPN patients and 12 age-matched control participants were enrolled. We recorded their reach and grasp movements using a three-dimensional measurement system, and calculated the normalized jerk of these movements as quantitative indexes of skilled hand function. Additionally, we used the number of sequential hand grip-release cycles in 10 seconds as an evaluation of clinical motor function.

Results: Our kinematic analyses revealed significant difference in normalized jerk of grasp movement (CIPN: 3.7 ± 0.2, control: 3.4 ± 0.1; P = .005), but this was not the case for reach movement (CIPN: 2.5 ± 0.1, control: 2.5 ± 0.2; P = .43), indicating that the distal part of the forearm is particularly affected in CIPN. Such disturbed grasp movement was directly correlated with poor scores on the hand grip-release test and the sensory tests.

Discussion: We revealed deficit impaired hand function objectively and quantitatively in CIPN patients using a kinematic analysis. Further, the hand grip test could represent such kinematic abnormality and could be useful for evaluating skilled hand function of CIPN patients.

Conclusions: Our kinematic and clinical measurements objectively and quantitatively evaluate skilled hand function in individuals with CIPN in clinical settings.

Level of evidence: Cross-sectional observational study.

Keywords: CIPN; Hand grip release test; Kinematic analysis; Reach–grasp movement.