What Are Cooling Gloves for Chemotherapy-Related Side Effects in the Hands and Feet?

Cooling gloves are used for chemotherapy -related peripheral neuropathy and may help reduce its effects.

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves, the nerves outside the central nervous system. Nerve damage caused by chemotherapy is referred to by specialists as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Some patients also choose cooling gloves to help relieve these symptoms.

In this article, we discuss cooling gloves as a potential tool for managing CIPN. These gloves may help relieve symptoms that occur during chemotherapy. But do they actually work? Here is what you need to know.

How Common Is It?

The frequency of CIPN can vary depending on the specific chemotherapy agents used, the duration of treatment and the patient's individual response. In general, according to the literature, around 30-40% of patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk of developing CIPN. With some chemotherapy regimens, however, this rate may even reach 70-100%. This shows that CIPN is a significant issue for people receiving chemotherapy, and managing these side effects is crucial to maintaining their quality of life.

What Are Cooling Gloves?

Cooling gloves use very low temperatures as a form of cryotherapy.

Cooling gloves work on the principles of cryotherapy. This therapy narrows blood vessels in specific areas of the body to reduce side effects during chemotherapy. The main function of cooling gloves is to temporarily constrict blood vessels in the hands, limiting the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches the hand tissues. This may reduce the severity of side effects such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). The gloves are cooled to a low temperature for a set period and worn during the chemotherapy session, helping constrict vessels in the hands and prevent potential side effects.

Cooling socks are also used for symptoms affecting the feet, as are cooling caps (chemocaps) that may help prevent hair loss due to chemotherapy.

Research Into the Effectiveness of Cooling Gloves

In a 2020 review, researchers stated that they had concluded it was not yet known whether peripheral cooling could prevent CIPN.

They noted that larger randomized controlled trials are needed to help researchers fully understand the effects of cooling therapies on CIPN.

However, some people believe cooling gloves relieve CIPN symptoms. Individuals can therefore seek professional advice to determine whether cooling gloves are appropriate for them. Together with a specialist, they can decide whether the gloves may be helpful based on research relevant to their situation.

Findings From Existing Research

A study published in 2020 examined the effects of cooling gloves in 180 people receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Participants were divided into two groups: those who wore cooling gloves on both hands during cancer treatment and those who did not.

34% of participants stopped treatment with cooling gloves, largely because of discomfort. They reported prolonged side effects such as feeling excessively cold.

The study found no significant improvement in CIPN subscales among participants who wore cooling gloves during chemotherapy. However, participants who wore gloves reported better function and quality of life than those who did not.

Another small study in 2020 examined 64 people receiving chemotherapy to assess the effects of Hilotherm, a continuous-flow thermoregulation device. It included cooling cuffs and tubing to keep the hands and feet at a constant 10°C.

Below, the Hiloterm device is shown:

The results suggested that continuous cooling with gloves and socks may help prevent or reduce CIPN symptoms. The researchers also said the cooling devices were safe and tolerable.

Cooling Gloves vs. Ice Packs

Another form of cryotherapy is the topical application of crushed ice to the hands and feet. However, while cooling gloves cover the entire hand, topical ice application may not. People can also apply ice-cold temperatures to their hands by freezing and wearing cooling gloves.

How Are Cooling Gloves and Socks Used?

Glove design and cooling time may vary.

For example, a multicenter study in 2020 used mitten-style cooling gloves that completely covered the hands up to the wrists.

Before use, the gloves were frozen at -20°C for 3 hours. Participants wore them for 15 minutes before receiving chemotherapy, for 1-2 hours during treatment and for 15 minutes afterward. Gloves were changed every 45 minutes, and the process was repeated at each chemotherapy session.

In another 2020 study, participants wore cooling cuffs on their hands and feet that maintained a constant temperature of 10°C. The cuffs were worn for 30 minutes before chemotherapy began and for 60 minutes after treatment.

People experiencing CIPN can work with specialists to choose the most suitable cooling gloves and how to use them.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

Before cancer treatment, individuals can discuss potential side effects such as CIPN with their doctor.

The specialist will monitor the person for CIPN symptoms during chemotherapy. It is therefore important to notify the specialist if symptoms occur or worsen. This matters because the specialist may wish to change the chemotherapy dose, delay treatment or switch medication. Both the patient and specialist need to remain alert to help prevent long-term or permanent damage.

If CIPN symptoms make daily activities difficult, individuals should consult a specialist to improve function or manage discomfort and pain. It is also useful to discuss a safe exercise routine and any potentially beneficial exercises with a specialist.

Alternative Treatments for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Other potential treatments are available to relieve CIPN symptoms. The American Cancer Society lists the following alternative treatment options for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy:

• Pain medications such as local anesthetics or narcotic painkillers
• Electrical nerve stimulation
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy (a field of healthcare and rehabilitation focused on improving daily living skills, increasing independence and enhancing quality of life)
• Relaxation therapy
• Acupuncture
• Guided imagery (a therapy or relaxation method that uses visual and verbal guidance to help a person take a mental journey)
• Biofeedback (a therapeutic method that helps people improve their health by monitoring their body's physiological processes and increasing awareness of them)

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Summary

Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect. This may include tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet. Cooling gloves and socks are a form of cryotherapy that uses cold to limit the amount of chemotherapy reaching the hands and feet.

Some research suggests that cooling gloves may help improve CIPN symptoms. However, some people may be unable to tolerate how cold the gloves are.

More research is needed to determine whether cooling gloves are an effective way to prevent or reduce CIPN symptoms.