Chemotherapy induced polyneuropathy – Purdue pegboard for diagnostics and control of functional deficits during oncological rehabilitation

Purpose: Polyneuropathy is a common side effect of neurotoxic chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Aim of this study was the evaluation of the Purdue pegboard test in diagnostics of polyneuropathy induced functional deficits. Methods: The manual dexterity and bimanual coordination of 89 patients (mean age 66.4 y) suffering from chemotherapy induced polyneuropathy was examined using Purdue pegboard test at the beginning and at the end of a three-week inpatient rehabilitation. Results: Manual dexterity was highly significantly improved. Bimanual coordination was improved, too. However, the complex assembly test revealed no relevant changes. Conclusions: Purdue pegboard test is a useful diagnostic tool in evaluation and control of functional deficits due to polyneuropathy.