Mindfulness is associated with severity of peripheral neuropathy and related patient-reported outcomes among colorectal cancer patients
Purpose Despite the detrimental impact of chronic (chemotherapy-induced) peripheral neuropathy PN on patients’ lives, treatment options remain limited. We examined the association between mindfulness and chronic PN symptom severity and impairments in related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients up to two years after diagnosis. Methods Newly diagnosed stage I-IV CRC patients from four Dutch hospitals were eligible for participation. Patients (N=336) completed a questionnaire on mindfulness (MAAS) at one year after diagnosis, and questionnaires on sensory (SPN)... Mehr ...
Purpose Despite the detrimental impact of chronic (chemotherapy-induced) peripheral neuropathy PN on patients’ lives, treatment options remain limited. We examined the association between mindfulness and chronic PN symptom severity and impairments in related patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients up to two years after diagnosis. Methods Newly diagnosed stage I-IV CRC patients from four Dutch hospitals were eligible for participation. Patients (N=336) completed a questionnaire on mindfulness (MAAS) at one year after diagnosis, and questionnaires on sensory (SPN) and motor peripheral neuropathy (MPN) (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), anxiety and depressive symptoms (HADS), sleep quality (PSQI), and fatigue (EORTC QLQ-C30) before initial treatment (baseline) and one and two years after diagnosis. Results At 1-year follow-up, 115 patients (34%) and 134 patients (40%), respectively, reported SPN or MPN symptoms. In multivariable regression analyses, higher mindfulness at 1-year follow-up was associated with less severe MPN and fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, better sleep quality, and less fatigue. Of the patients with SPN or MPN at 1-year follow-up, symptoms had not returned to baseline level at 2-year follow-up in 59 (51%) and 72 (54%) patients, respectively. In this subgroup, higher mindfulness was associated with less severe SPN and fewer anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and fatigue at 2-year follow-up. Conclusion Mindfulness was associated with less severe PN and better related PROs among CRC patients with chronic PN. More research is needed to examine the role of mindfulness in the transition from acute to chronic PN.