NURS01 Medication and dietary supplement use and symptom severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Overview

https://research.qut.edu.au/cpc/https://research.qut.edu.au/cpc/

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is highly prevalent and clinically problematic, occurring in up to 60–80% of people receiving chemotherapy. Despite the high prevalence and significant patient and healthcare burden of CIPN, treatment options are limited.

This project will explore the association between medication and dietary supplement use and symptom severity of CIPN to identify factors that might worsen or improve CIPN symptoms.

You will be involved in the preparation and analysis of a sub-set of baseline data from a large randomised controlled trial of 612 participants with CIPN (The CIPN Study: A sequential multiple assignment randomised trial of nursing interventions to reduce pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy funded by NHMRC).

Research engagement

You will be involved in the data preparation and analysis. There will also be opportunity to be involved in manuscript writing and publication.

Research activities

You will use SPSS software to prepare and analyse data that has already been collected. Your primary supervisor (Dr Megan Crichton) will be available to provide the necessary ongoing support and training for this. Other members of the Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre will provide support, such as Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates.

Outcomes

This project will contribute to our understanding of the influence of neurotoxic chemotherapy, other medications, and dietary supplements on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Findings will guide future research and grant applications to improve the prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Results will be published in a journal manuscript.

Skills and experience

The project would suit students with an interest in learning key research skills in data management and analysis, and/or an interest in cancer or pharmacology.

Start date

1 November, 2024

End date

21 February, 2025

Location

The project can be conducted on-site with the team in the Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre at QUT (Kelvin Grove Q block, or remotely.

Keywords

• cancer
• oncology
• nutrition
• pharmacology
• medication
• supplements
• neuropathy
• chemotherapy
• dietetics
• nursing
• pharmaceuticals

Contact

Dr Megan Crichton, megan.crichton@qut.edu.au