Traditional Chinese Medicine Hand-Foot Soak for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Hand-Foot Syndrome

NCT07375446 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: M20250937
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Systemic therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are cornerstones of modern oncology and have significantly extended patient survival. However, these treatments are frequently associated with adverse reactions that can impair patients' quality of life. Among the most common and debilitating are chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Currently, no universally effective standard of care exists for either CIPN or HFS. Interventions such as duloxetine for CIPN or empirical vitamin use for HFS offer limited efficacy and are not robustly supported by evidence. This unmet clinical need has driven interest in complementary approaches. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been rigorously evaluated in high-quality clinical trials for various conditions, showing benefits in cardiovascular disease and oncology. However, while some studies have explored systemic TCM for preventing CIPN, research on topical TCM therapies for established CIPN and HFS is scarce. We therefore conducted this retrospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a topical TCM hand-foot soak for these conditions, using patient-reported outcome measures to assess its impact on symptoms and quality of life.

Conditions

Patients With Solid Tumors

Keywords

traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), hand-foot syndrome (HFS)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• CIPN scores

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks"

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• HFS Grade

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks"

Study Arms (1)

Traditional Chinese medicine group

Patients received a topical TCM treatment. The formula consisted of: Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) , Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Zhi Chuanwu) , Caulis Spatholobi (Jixueteng), Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) , Radix Astragali (Huangqi), Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae (Chuanshanlong) , Herba Speranskiae Tuberculatae (Tougucao), Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao), and Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen Pian). The herbs were decocted in 1000-2000ml of 37-41℃ water. Patients were instructed to soak their hands and feet in the warm solution for 20-30 minutes twice daily.

Drug: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Interventions

Traditional Chinese Medicine DRUG

Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi) , Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui) , Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Zhi Chuanwu), Caulis Spatholobi (Jixueteng) , Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) , Radix Astragali (Huangqi) , Rhizoma Dioscoreae Nipponicae (Chuanshanlong) , Herba Speranskiae Tuberculatae (Tougucao) , Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao) , and Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Kushen Pian)

Traditional Chinese medicine group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will enroll patients with solid tumors who received systemic anticancer therapy at the Department of Medical Oncology and Radiation Sickness, Peking University Third Hospital.

You may qualify if:

• (1) The patient is over 18 years old, with no gender restrictions; (2) Pathology confirmed malignant tumor, including digestive tract tumor, lung cancer, breast cancer, etc; (3) Received systemic anti-tumor treatment, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, etc; (4) Combination of HFS or CIPN after anti-tumor treatment; (5) After the occurrence of HFS or CIPN, according to the diagnosis and treatment routine or the patient's wishes, traditional Chinese medicine topical treatment is used, or western medicine such as methylcobalamin/vitamin B is taken orally, or no intervention measures are used; (6) The main organ functions are normal, and there are no severe abnormalities in blood, heart, lung, liver, kidney, bone marrow, or immunodeficiency diseases; (7) The time from the end of the previous use of traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations to the start of the study must be ≥ 2 weeks; (8) Those with good compliance can follow up on the efficacy and adverse reactions according to the requirements of the plan; (9) HFS, CIPN, and quality of life assessments were conducted before and after treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Peking University Third Hospital: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hand-Foot Syndrome

Interventions

Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Drug Eruptions; Dermatitis; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Drug Hypersensitivity; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Chemically-Induced Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Medicine, Traditional; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics

Central Study Contacts

YANHONG YAO

CONTACT

82265857; snowdream246@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2026
• First Posted: January 29, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2029
• Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share