Lavoie Smith, Ellen M.Li, LangHutchinson, Raymond J.Ho, RichardBurnette, W. BryanWells, ElizabethBridges, CeliaRenbarger, Jamie2025-05-062025-05-062013Lavoie Smith EM, Li L, Hutchinson RJ, et al. Measuring vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Nurs. 2013;36(5):E49-E60. doi:10.1097/NCC.0b013e318299ad23https://hdl.handle.net/1805/47768Background: Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) is difficult to quantify in children. Objective: The study objective was to examine the reliability, validity, and clinical feasibility of several VIPN measures for use in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Interventions/methods: Children (n = 65) aged 1 to 18 years receiving vincristine at 4 academic centers participated in the study. Baseline and pre-vincristine administration VIPN assessments were obtained using the Total Neuropathy Score-Pediatric Vincristine (TNS©-PV), the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, the Balis grading scale, and the FACES Pain Scale. The TNS-PV scores (n = 806) were obtained over 15 weeks. Blood was obtained at several time points to quantify pharmacokinetic parameters. Results: Cronbach's α for a reduced TNS-PV scale was .84. The TNS-PV scores correlated with cumulative vincristine dosage (r = 0.53, P = 0.01), pharmacokinetic parameters (r = 0.41, P = 0.05), and grading scale scores (r range = 0.46-0.52, P = .01). FACES scores correlated with the TNS-PV neuropathic pain item (r = 0.48; P = .01) and were attainable in all ages. A 2-item V-Rex score (vibration and reflex items) was the most responsive to change (effect size = 0.65, P < 0.001). The TNS-PV scores were attainable in 95% of children 6 years or older. Conclusions: The TNS-PV is reliable and valid for measuring VIPN. It is sensitive to change over time (15 weeks) and feasible for use in children 6 years or older. Implications for practice: The TNS-PV may be a useful tool for assessing vincristine toxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.en-USPublisher PolicyPeripheral nervous system diseasesVincristinePhytogenic antineoplastic agentsPain measurementArticle