Griffiths, C., Kwon, N., Beaumont, J.L., & Paice, J.A. (2018). Cold therapy to prevent paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26, 3461–3469.
Evaluate the effectiveness of cold therapy on prevention of CIPN in those receiving paclitaxel-based therapy for breast cancer.
Patients wore glycerine-containing Elasto-Gel glove and sock on one extremity and nothing on the other extremity. Elasto-Gel glove/sock were cooled to -25 to -30 C in a freezer for at least three hours prior to administration; was worn for a total of 210 minutes, and changed every 45-50 minutes during infusion. A total of nine data points were collected.
PHASE OF CARE: Active anti-tumor treatment
Randomized controlled study of taxane-naïve patients receiving dose dense anthracycline plus paclitaxel therapy. Patients were own paired control.
Symptoms of neuropathic pain, including pain severity and sensory severity. Measured with NPSI, BPI, and QST for measurement of pain, pain severity, and sensory severity, respectively).
No significant difference in pain as measured by NPSI; all measurements of pain severity were increased with the BPI, including interference with daily activity, worst pain in the last 24 hours, average pain in 24 hours, and pain currently experienced. No significant difference in any of the five QSTs used for sensory severity, including sensitivity to innocuous touch, sensitivity to noxious stimuli, sensitivity to vibration, manual dexterity, and fine motor dexterity.
Study was stopped early at time point 6 due to high dropout rate from discomfort related to intervention; when stopped, no evidence of decreased CIPN was seen.
Education about current therapies. Further research needed on cryotherapy for prevention of CIPN.