Nearly all chemotherapy patients will experience cold sensitivity as a side effect; some may also develop more serious and long-lasting nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy that limits walking, writing and driving abilities. Researchers suggest a simple solution–cooling gloves and socks–may help to protect patients against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy is when nerves in the body are damaged
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves in the body become damaged and stop communicating accurately with the brain, leading to pain, numbness or tingling in hands and feet. It’s a side effect of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy as well as some drugs used for infections or cardiovascular conditions; cancer tumors themselves may press on nerves or destroy blood vessels that supply them.
Medications can sometimes help
One common approach for treating neuropathy is medications, including antidepressants and anticonvulsants to manage pain and enhance mood as well as opioids to relieve it. Other ways of alleviating symptoms may include exercising to relieve tension and enhance balance as well as taking supplements; others utilize acupuncture treatments which may relieve nerve pain.
If a patient experiences neuropathy during chemotherapy, their doctor may delay or adjust the dosage of the drug causing it. They could also suggest another medication. In severe cases where neuropathy prevents functioning or enjoyment of life, treatment must be discontinued and alternatives explored.
But is there a way to help patients avoid neuropathy altogether?
According to research presented at the 2023 Society for Gynecologic Oncology annual meeting, combining compression with cooling techniques, such as using frozen gloves or socks during chemotherapy treatment could reduce chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Research project involving 36 women
Researchers conducted a research project involving 36 women receiving oxaliplatin chemotherapy treatments as part of their treatment regimes. Gloves and socks made of special breathable material were worn on every infusion except the initial one to assess if this helped with neuropathy symptoms.
After six months of treatment with oxaliplatin, those using cold gloves and socks reported lower levels of neuropathy than those who did not use these devices. They also had higher scores on a questionnaire measuring quality of life and improved results with their compound motor action potential amplitudes (electric signals that inform muscles to move). But since this study wasn’t randomised, other factors could have affected its results and more research must be conducted to see whether its findings can be replicated. And more information is necessary about how best to implement cold therapy, including the appropriate temperatures and durations for treatment. But results indicate this straightforward, inexpensive, and user-friendly method might be worth trying for anyone at risk for developing neuropathy from taking oxaliplatin (Source: OncLive September 20 22 ). For more information about this matter, consult your oncologist.
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