Document Type
Capstone
Abstract
The origin of this project was derived from a personal desire to acquire more knowledge related to a population where occupational therapy is an emerging area of practice. Coinciding with this craving for more comprehension was the great need for occupational therapy program development within the oncology service line at an area hospital. These factors provided an excellent forum for the development of personal and professional growth. As the project developed, it became increasingly apparent that the topic population would also greatly benefit from the outcomes of the literature synthetization required to fulfill the first two needs. These factors combined contributed to the direction and growth of this project leading it to identify the specific occupational needs of oncology clients within the acute care setting. It lead to the formation of program development who's intent was to guide the therapists who work with this population in making clinically sound decisions supported by the literature, in addition to a reference guide for clients and caregivers dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy. Through processing the literature, two charts were developed which are geared towards increasing the knowledge of new and practicing clinicians who encounter oncology clients within the acute setting. The first table reviews the commonly utilized chemotherapeutic agents that may contribute to the development of peripheral neuropathy. This table reviews the identified drug classes and the pharmaceuticals that fall under those categories, along with the associated diagnoses they are utilized to treat, their potential side effects, and the pathophysiology behind the development of peripheral neuropathy. The second table outlines selected assessments that can easily be utilized within the acute care environment for the tracking of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy symptomology. Their uses, the exact form of neuropathy they can be utilized to track, their validity and reliability, as well as their administration requirements are included in order to help guide clinicians through determining which assessments are appropriate to implement with each individual client. Lastly, a handout was created that synthesized the literature related to the potential neuropathic side effects of chemotherapy. This handout is intended to guide the clinician, client and caregiver through appropriate compensatory interventions that promote safe occupational participation while increasing the consumer's awareness to the vast array of side effects that are possible. This awareness will aid in the early detection and report of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. A comprehensive view of the literature related to appropriate interventions for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy concludes this project. These interventions are identified to guide clinicians in implementing appropriate treatment methods that are proven to combat, or attenuate, the symptoms related to polyneuropathy. While research is lacking related to neuropathy associated with chemotherapy, these evidenced based approaches substantiate occupational therapy intervention for the pathophysiological outcome that possesses a similar presentation to diabetic polyneuropathy and are therefore recommended as appropriate treatment methods to maximize client safety and occupational participation.
Publication Date
2015
Recommended Citation
McKinnell, Kathryn W., "Occupation Based and Compensatory Techniques to Promote Functional Independence in Clients with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy" (2015). MOT Student Capstones. 132.
https://riches.cabarruscollege.edu/mot-student-capstones/132
