Chemotherapy Glove Cooling Methods: Effectiveness and User Guidelines
New research suggests that cooling gloves, a form of cold therapy, could potentially reduce the risk and severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) – a common side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs.
Evidence Supporting Cold Therapy
Studies indicate that cold therapy helps lower the risk of neuropathy symptoms such as pain and numbness linked to nerve damage caused by chemotherapy. Patients typically wear cooling gloves and socks for about 15 minutes before, during, and at least 15 minutes after chemo infusion to achieve this protective effect.
Chemotherapy drugs like taxanes (Taxol, Taxotere), Abraxane, and carboplatin are particularly relevant for this preventive approach. Ongoing research aims to refine and validate these findings further.
Application and Methods
Cooling gloves may be tight or mitten-like and may require freezing for a set amount of time before wearing. In some cases, they are kept in a freezer at -20°C (-4°F) for 3 hours before use. Other methods, such as continuous cooling with a device called Hilotherm, involve cooling cuffs and tubes on the hands and feet.
However, not all studies have shown significant improvements in CIPN subscales. For instance, a 2020 study using frozen gloves found no significant improvements, but participants who wore the gloves reported better function and quality of life than those who did not.
Ongoing Research
Additional rigorous studies, such as a randomized controlled trial as of August 2025, are underway to evaluate cryotherapy methods like cryocompression on peripheral neuropathy.
While cooling gloves are recognized as a promising preventive approach, more large-scale studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and optimize protocols. Alternative symptom management strategies, such as exercise therapy, have also shown benefits in managing CIPN symptoms but do not prevent them.
In summary, cooling gloves applied during chemotherapy infusions are an evidence-supported option to reduce the risk and severity of CIPN, particularly for taxane-based treatments. However, ongoing research aims to refine and validate these findings further.
As always, it's essential to discuss potential ways to ease symptoms of CIPN with a doctor, who can provide guidance on pain relief medications, electrical nerve stimulation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, relaxation therapy, acupuncture, guided imagery, and biofeedback.
