Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Enhancing Satisfaction through Innovative Frozen Rubber Gloves among Women with Breast Cancer: A Quasi-Experimental Study

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Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by women with breast cancer undergoing paclitaxel treatment. Thus, symptom relief is essential. The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether the use of Innovative Frozen Rubber Gloves could reduce chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and enhance satisfaction among women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The participants were 29 women with newly diagnosed stage I-II breast cancer who underwent four complete cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, followed by four cycles of a paclitaxel regimen. The study was conducted at the chemotherapy infusion center of the outpatient department of a university hospital in southern Thailand from March 2022 to April 2023. Each participant served as her own control: one hand was designated as the experimental hand and fitted with an Innovative Frozen Rubber Glove for 90 minutes during each of the four paclitaxel infusions (15 minutes before infusion, 60 minutes during infusion, and 15 minutes after infusion). The other hand served as a control hand without the glove. The data collection instruments included the Quality-of-life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 and the Chemo-Cooling Gloves Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Generalized Linear Mixed Model. The results indicated that the Innovative Frozen Rubber Gloves significantly reduced peripheral neuropathy, particularly during cycle 3 (immediately after completing chemotherapy) and cycle 4 (14 days post-chemotherapy). The women with breast cancer reported the highest overall satisfaction with Innovative Frozen Rubber Gloves. Nurses can use this Innovative Frozen Rubber Gloves as a supportive intervention to alleviate chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy associated with the paclitaxel regimen. However, further study in a larger sample size is needed.

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