by George Washington University

RR estimation and funnel plots for the overall incidence of CTCAE grade ≥ 2 neuropathy. Credit: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07597-z

A new study led by a George Washington University Cancer Center researcher found that cold therapy protects breast cancer patients from nerve pain caused by chemotherapy.

Researchers found that cryotherapy, a treatment that involves exposing the body or specific areas of the body to extremely cold temperatures for therapeutic purposes, helped prevent nerve damage in breast cancer patients who are being treated with the chemotherapy drugs paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel.

These chemotherapy drugs are notorious for causing long-lasting pain or tingling in your hands, feet or legs. Cryotherapy reduced the incidence of peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy by 55% in this meta-analysis.

The study, "A meta-analysis of the utility of cryotherapy for preventing peripheral neuropathy among breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel" was published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.

More information: Prashanth Ashok Kumar et al, A meta-analysis of the utility of cryotherapy for preventing peripheral neuropathy among breast cancer patients receiving paclitaxel and nab-paclitaxel, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10549-024-07597-z  Journal information: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment