title: The total neuropathy score: a tool for measuring chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the psychometric properties, clinical significance, and utility of the Total Neuropathy Score (TNS), a composite measurement tool used to assess chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Published articles and abstracts and pertinent article references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CIPN has been quantified inadequately because of the lack of an optimal measurement tool. The TNS is the most comprehensive composite tool to have been tested in oncology settings. The tool assesses neuropathy signs and symptoms and incorporates nerve conduction study results but inadequately assesses neuropathy-related pain severity. Seven studies have reported on the TNS's psychometric properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Initial but limited evidence supports the TNS's psychometric properties. The tool is too burdensome and inadequately assesses pain severity. Further revision and testing of the tool are recommended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNS simplification and further psychometric testing could lead to future use by oncology nurses.
authors.affiliation: Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, USA. ellen.l.smith@hitchcock.org
authors.forename: Ellen M Lavoie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D011594:Psychometrics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents