The Safety and Efficacy of Cryotherapy in the Prevention of Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathy: A Systematic Review

The chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel has significantly enhanced the treatment of various types of cancer. However, the quality of life of cancer patients is often impacted by the painful and dose-restrictive paclitaxel side effect known as paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). A non-pharmacological method called cryotherapy has shown promise in alleviating PIPN-related symptoms. In this systematic review, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cryotherapy in preventing PIPN. The review analyzed four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving individuals treated with paclitaxel for breast and gynecological cancer. Cryotherapy showed success in lowering PIPN symptoms in several studies, as judged by various outcome measures, although the findings varied. The safety profile of cryotherapy was typically good, with minimal side effects. However, methodological variations and small sample sizes in the studies analyzed limit drawing definitive conclusions from them. To obtain conclusive evidence, studies with standardized techniques and larger sample sizes are required. Further research is necessary to understand cryotherapy's potential mechanisms and long-term effects. This review highlights the potential of cryotherapy in the management of PIPN, explains how it works, and suggests future research topics to improve its application.