Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is the most common neurological complication of cancer treatment. The prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains a challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prophylactic cryotherapy on taxol- induced neuropathy. Methodology: Forty patients with breast cancer were assigned into two equal groups (group I & group II): Group (I) received cryotherapy (the cooled mitts and slippers) and group (II) received the un cooled mitts and slippers along the 12 taxol cycles for 15minutes before the dose ,60 minutes during the dose, 15 minutes after the dose, the total cooling time was 90 minutes on both sides. Modified Total Neuropathy Score (mTNS) was used to assessseverity of taxol-induced neuropathy. The sural nerve action potential amplitude (SNAPA) was measured pre and post treatment using the Russian electrophysiolgical equipment. Results : There was a statistically significant reduction in the mean value of sural SNAPA in both groups post treatment with more significant reduction in the control group compared with the study group. while,there was a statistically significant increase in the median value of mTNS in both groups post treatment with more significant increase in the control group compared with the study group. Conclusion: The cryotherapy reduces the incidence and severity of taxol -induced neuropathy, so cryotherapy is non invasive, inexpensive, safe and effective strategy for reduction of taxol- induced neuropathy in cancer patients receiving taxol treatment.
