Potential mediators of improvement in painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy via a web-based cognitive behavioural intervention

Abstract

Purpose: Preliminary evidence suggests that a self-guided cognitive and behaviourally-based pain management intervention (PROSPECT) is effective for chronic painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), but its mechanism of action is unknown. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to explore if changes in anxiety, depression, sleep-related impairment, or fatigue mediated improvements in worst pain following PROSPECT in individuals with chronic painful CIPN. Methods: Sixty participants were randomized to receive self-guided cognitive behavioural pain management (access for eight weeks) or treatment as usual. A seven-day worst CIPN pain diary and the PROMIS measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep-related impairment were administered pre/posttest (eight-weeks). Causal mediation analysis was used to quantify mediators of worst pain improvement. Results: None of the hypothesized mediators had a statistically significant effect on worst pain (n=38). Implications: Further research is needed to identify potential mediators of pain intensity that can be targeted by specific cognitive behavioural strategies to improve painful CIPN severity. Key words: chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, cognitive behaviour therapy, peripheral nervous system disease/chemically induced