“It’s Like a Marathon”: A Qualitative Study of Symptom Burden and Adaptation Among Patients with Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy During Treatment

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) can substantially affect patients’ everyday lives, yet less is known about how patients appraise and adapt to these symptoms during ongoing treatment. This qualitative study explored how patients appraise and adapt to OIPN during ongoing treatment and how these experiences relate to considerations about treatment continuation. Fifteen patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China, completed face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Four interrelated themes were constructed: (1) evolving and embodied symptom experiences, (2) disruption and contraction of everyday life, (3) appraising and adapting to symptom uncertainty, and (4) balancing symptom burden and perceived treatment value. Participants described recurrent symptoms that could become increasingly persistent, disrupt everyday functioning, and create uncertainty about recovery. They developed individualized strategies to manage symptoms and differed in what they considered tolerable. Considerations about treatment continuation reflected the interaction of symptom burden, perceived manageability, and perceived treatment value. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how patients appraise and adapt to OIPN during treatment. They may help oncology nurses identify support needs and provide individualized information as treatment progresses.