What is the study about?

Welcome to the information page for the SenseCheQ – CIPN study which is taking place in Bristol.

The study aims to determine whether Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN – for more information click – HERE) can be detected at different regions of the body (top of the foot and base of the thumb) by conducting Quantitative Sensory Testing.

While for most chemotherapy agents symptoms first appear in toes and feet, followed later by fingers and hands – it is not clear whether the hand is a viable testing location for QST with the aim of detecting early changes in nerve function.

In this study, we use state of the art sensory testing equipment in order to answer this main research question as well as some secondary ones which will help guide decision making as we continue to develop the SenseCheQ device.

Who can take part?

We are recruiting patients over the age of 18 who:

1. Have been diagnosed with cancer and have yet to start planned chemotherapy treatments (neurotoxic agents such as taxanes, platinums, bortezomib)
2. Have completed their chemotherapy treatment and have developed chemotherapy induced neuropathy

We will also ask participants from the first group whether they would consent to us contacting them after they have completed their treatment to inquire about a post-treatment test session.

This allows us to, in the first instance, compare the first and second group while maintaining the possibility of following patients longitudinally pre- and post-treatment.

What does the testing include?

The visit consists of completing some questionnaires and a standard quantitative sensory testing procedure at two body sites (base of the thumb and top of the foot).

For the sensory testing, we will ask participants to tell us what they feel when we stimulate their skin with thermal (warming and cooling) and mechanical (vibration and touch) stimuli.

The entire session will take 90 minutes and participants will be reimbursed for their time (£10 / hour) and for their travel expenses.

Where does the testing take place?

The visit takes place at the Bristol Clinical Research Facility located at 60 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DX (click to enlarge).

More information

This was a very short summary of the study. For more information access the detailed Participant Information Sheet HERE.

Contact Dr Marin Dujmović for further information at: marin.dujmovic@bristol.ac.uk

See our poster below (click to enlarge).