Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common severe dose-limiting side effects that accompany treatment with different chemotherapeutic agents. Patients with CIPN often experience a reduction in quality of life and an increase in fall risk due to symptoms such as pain, sensory loss, paresthesia (tingling, numbness), and gait disturbances. Treatment of CIPN is based on pharmacotherapy, which may in turn cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue and others. In addition, various approaches from integrative medicine are used, e.g. acupuncture, touch therapies, mind-body medicine, dietary supplements, and aromatherapy. Little is known about the effect of rosemary oil, applied to hands and feet, on CIPN. The present study is a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of a future clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of topical application of rosemary oil in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who develop CIPN.
Chemotherapy can cause sensory disorders in the hands and feet called peripheral neuropathy. Typical symptoms are pain, loss of sensation, tingling, numbness, and gait disturbances, which worsen patients' quality of life and increase the risk of falls. Little is known about the effect of rosemary oil (applied to hands and feet) on the symptoms of neuropathy. The present study is a feasibility study to see if it is possible to conduct a clinical trial in patients diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy who report peripheral neuropathy and apply rosemary oil to their hands and feet.