Heat and Cold Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy

Summary

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience various side effects depending on the treatment protocol used. Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting and quality-of-life-reducing complication caused by chemotherapeutic agents. The development of neuropathy not only restricts patients' physical functions but may also lead to dose reduction or even the discontinuation of chemotherapy.

Among chemotherapeutic agents, taxanes are among the most common causes of neuropathy. Docetaxel and paclitaxel, which belong to the taxane group, are widely used chemotherapeutics in the treatment of breast cancer. The degeneration, which manifests as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the fingers and toes, progresses from the distal to the proximal end of peripheral nerve axons.

Although several potential agents have been clinically tested to prevent CIPN, no pharmacological agent other than duloxetine, which has limited efficacy, has been proven effective. A review of the literature reveals that non-pharmacological methods used in the management of peripheral neuropathy include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massage, exercise, heat and cold application, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and reflexology. Studies investigating the effectiveness of local water baths in the treatment of neuropathy have reported that this approach is effective in managing neuropathic symptoms.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of local heat and cold application on neuropathic symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data will be collected using the Patient Information Form, Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT), and the Heat and Cold Application Patient Follow-up Form. Assessments will be conducted in both the intervention and control groups before the intervention and at the end of a 4-week period.

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of local heat and cold application on neuropathy in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Conditions

• Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)

Interventions

OTHER

Experimental- Heat application

Heat application + standard protocol=Hot Application Protocol Hot application will start daily and continue until the completion of 4 weeks. The area will be checked for infection, scar tissue, inflammation, and incision before the application, and the procedure will be explained to the patient and their family. The first application will be performed on the day the patient comes for chemotherapy, ensuring privacy by exposing only the application area and positioning the patient appropriately. Patients will be asked to sit on a chair or couch with both feet immersed in a foot bath containing 5 liters of water, approximately 5 cm above their ankles, every night before bed for one month. The water temperature will be 40°C. The application will last for 30 minutes. Patients will be advised to avoid contact with cold water, as well as the consumption of cold food and beverages.

OTHER

Experimental-Cold application

Cold application + standard protocol=Cold application will start daily and continue until the completion of 4 weeks. The area will be checked for infection, scar tissue, inflammation, and incision before the application, and the procedure will be explained to the patient and their family. The first application will be performed on the day the patient comes for chemotherapy, ensuring privacy by exposing only the application area and positioning the patient appropriately. Patients will be asked to sit on a chair or couch with both feet immersed in a foot bath containing 5 liters of water, approximately 5 cm above their ankles, every night before bed for one month. The water temperature will be between 23-26°C. The application will be performed by the researcher on the day the patient comes for weekly chemotherapy treatment. Patients will be advised to avoid contact with hot water, as well as the consumption of hot food and beverages.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bilecik Seyh Edebali Universitesi

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• SABAHAT COŞKUN, Doç.Dr. · Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversity

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-03

Primary Completion

2025-05-10

Completion

2025-07-16

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations