Menthol gloves may soothe nerve pain caused by chemotherapy
NCT ID NCT07693387
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether menthol-infused gloves and foot-covers can relieve numbness, pain, and unusual sensations caused by chemotherapy. Cancer patients who have completed or received at least two cycles of certain chemo drugs will wear the gloves or a sham version for five minutes daily over two weeks. Researchers will track changes in symptoms and quality of life, and also look for biological markers in blood that might predict who responds best.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- menthol
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to reduce numbness and pain from chemotherapy, improving quality of life for cancer survivors.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 40 participants. The effect may be modest or no better than a placebo, and long-term benefits are unknown.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
May 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
20 to 100 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\. All adult cancer patients (Age≧20-year-old) who received chemotherapy regimens, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy. * 2\. Stage I-IV cancer patients. * 3\. Who received chemotherapy regimens, including Taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel), platinum (cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin). * 4\. Who have received two cycle or have completed the neurotoxic chemotherapy regimen(24). * 5\. Baseline von Frey Monofilament test (Target force at hand) ≧ 0.07gms. * 6\. Baseline von Frey Monofilament test (Target force at foot) ≧ 0.4gms. * 7\. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≦3. * 8\. Grading of peripheral sensory neuropathy in National Cancer Institute- common terminology criteria for adverse events,v5.0 (NCI-CTCAE5) ≧1. * 9\. Written patient informed consent. * 10\. Discontinue analgesics or maintain the same dosage throughout the study period. (e.g., duloxetine, or another analgesia, including Pregabalin, Venlafaxine, Minocycline, Topical gel, Oxycodone, Naloxone, Cannabinoids). Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Uncontrolled Diabetic Mellitus, HbA1c≧7% is inappropriate(25). * 2\. Diabetic neuropathy diagnosed before receiving chemotherapy. * 3\. Neuropathy from any type of nerve compression (e.g., carpal/tarsal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, brachial plexopathy). * 4\. Other diseases that cause peripheral neuropathy (e.g., Severe chronic kidney disease, hepatitis, thyroid disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, viral infections such as HIV and syphilis, alcohol poisoning, inflammatory diseases such as chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy, heavy metal poisoning, hereditary neuropathies). * 5\. Limb trauma that has resulted in vascular and nerve damage. * 6\. Individuals with severe mental illness or cognitive impairments who are unable to provide informed consent. * 7\. Severe hemorrhagic coagulopathy or bleeding tendency. * 8\. Unstable cardiovascular disease. * 9\. Severe skin lesions around the treatment sites. * 10\. Pregnant and breastfeeding women. * 11\. Participants who are concurrently enrolled in additional clinical trials. * 12\. Individuals allergic to topical menthol. * 13\. Adults weighing less than 50 kilograms. * 14\. The researchers will exclude any participants considered to be inappropriate for the study. * 15\. Profound weight loss (\>5% to 10% of body weight).
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
An Nan Hospital, China Medical University
Tainan, Taiwan, 709, Taiwan
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Chilling out Chemo's side effects: could cold therapy shield nerves?
- Could simple exercises rebuild strength after chemotherapy nerve damage?
- Acupuncture vs. sham needles: a test for chemo nerve damage
- Video analysis could personalize rehab for chemo nerve damage
- Brain training and nerve stretching could ease chemo nerve damage
- Acupuncture and exercise join forces against chemotherapy nerve pain