Extremity Cooling for Peripheral Neuropathy Prevention: A Rapid Synthesis of Evidence

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Neurology
• Supportive Care

Background:

• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent adverse effect of cancer treatment.
• CIPN manifests as sensory and motor symptoms in the extremities, impacting daily activities and quality of life.
• Current management strategies for CIPN have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of cryotherapy in preventing or mitigating CIPN.
• To assess the impact of cryotherapy on patient-reported symptoms and functional outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating cryotherapy for CIPN.
• Data extraction on patient demographics, chemotherapy regimens, cryotherapy protocols, and CIPN incidence/severity.
• Statistical analysis to determine the overall effect of cryotherapy on CIPN outcomes.

Main Results:

• Cryotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the incidence and severity of CIPN.
• Patients receiving cryotherapy reported fewer symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain in hands and feet.
• No significant increase in treatment delays or interruptions was observed in the cryotherapy group.

Conclusions:

• Cryotherapy is a promising, non-pharmacological intervention for managing CIPN.
• Implementing cryotherapy during chemotherapy administration may improve patient tolerance and adherence to treatment.
• Further research is warranted to optimize cryotherapy protocols for various chemotherapy agents.